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Tragedy vs Compassion - What's the difference?

tragedy | compassion |

As nouns the difference between tragedy and compassion

is that tragedy is a drama or similar work, in which the main character is brought to ruin or otherwise suffers the extreme consequences of some tragic flaw or weakness of character while compassion is deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it.

As a verb compassion is

(obsolete) to pity.

tragedy

Alternative forms

* (archaic) * (l) (archaic) * (archaic) * (l) (archaic) * (l) (archaic)

Noun

(tragedies)
  • A drama or similar work, in which the main character is brought to ruin or otherwise suffers the extreme consequences of some tragic flaw or weakness of character.
  • The genre of such works, and the art of producing them.
  • A disastrous event, especially one involving great loss of life or injury.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1905, author=
  • , title= , chapter=1 citation , passage=“The story of this adoption is, of course, the pivot round which all the circumstances of the mysterious tragedy revolved. Mrs. Yule had an only son, namely, William, to whom she was passionately attached ; but, like many a fond mother, she had the desire of mapping out that son's future entirely according to her own ideas. […]”}}

    Antonyms

    * comedy

    Derived terms

    * tragedian * tragedy of the commons * tragic * tragic irony * tragicomedy

    Anagrams

    *

    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?