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Comfort vs Compassion - What's the difference?

comfort | compassion |

In obsolete terms the difference between comfort and compassion

is that comfort is to assist or help; to aid while compassion is to pity.

As nouns the difference between comfort and compassion

is that comfort is contentment, ease while compassion is deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it.

As verbs the difference between comfort and compassion

is that comfort is to relieve the distress or suffering of; to provide comfort to while compassion is to pity.

comfort

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Contentment, ease.
    • Sleep in comfort with our new mattress.
  • Something that offers comfort.
    • the comforts of home
  • A consolation; something relieving suffering or worry.
    • We still have the spare tire? That's a comfort at least.
  • A cause of relief or satisfaction.
    • The outcome of the peace negotiations in Moscow in 1940 was a heavy blow to the young nation, but in the same time a great comfort : at least the independency was preserved.

    Synonyms

    *

    Antonyms

    * austerity

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To relieve the distress or suffering of; to provide comfort to.
    • Rob comforted Aaron because he was lost and very sad.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • Light excelleth in comforting the spirits of men.
  • To make comfortable. (rfex)
  • (obsolete) To make strong; to invigorate; to fortify; to corroborate.
    • (Wyclif)
  • * Hooker
    • God's own testimony doth not a little comfort and confirm the same.
  • (obsolete) To assist or help; to aid.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I cannot help the noble chevalier: / God comfort him in this necessity!

    Synonyms

    * besoothe

    Derived terms

    * cold comfort * comfort woman * comfortable * comforter * comforting * discomfort * letter of comfort ----

    compassion

    English

    Noun

  • Deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it
  • * 1849 , Robert Leighton (Archbishop of Glasgow), A practical commentary upon the first Epistle of St. Peter (page 47)
    • Oh! the unspeakable privilege to have Him for our Father, who is the Father of mercies and compassions , and those not barren, fruitless pityings, for He is withal the God of all consolations.

    Synonyms

    * empathy, pity, ruth, tenderheartedness, sorrow * kindness, heart, mercy

    Derived terms

    * compassionate * compassion fatigue

    Related terms

    * compatible

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To pity.
  • * 1607 , , IV. i. 124:
    • O heavens, can you hear a good man groan / And not relent, or not compassion him?

    External links

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