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Compassion vs Sensibility - What's the difference?

compassion | sensibility |

As nouns the difference between compassion and sensibility

is that compassion is deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it while sensibility is the ability to sense, feel or perceive; especially to be sensitive to the feelings of another.

As a verb compassion

is (obsolete) to pity.

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

    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?

    sensibility

    English

    Noun

    (sensibilities)
  • The ability to sense, feel or perceive; especially to be sensitive to the feelings of another
  • 'I think sensibility is important in a relationship.'
  • (chiefly, in the plural) An acute awareness or feeling
  • 'I apologize if I offended your sensibilities, but that's the truth of the matter.'