self-compassion

noun

The extension of compassion to one's self in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering.

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Meanings

nounself-compassion (uncountable)
  1. uncountablehuman sciencesThe extension of compassion to one's self in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering.

    While you can start now, working through reparenting with a therapist can help give you perspective on what traumas you need to work through, tools to help you maintain self-compassion in difficult circumstances and experiences to counteract wounds that your inner child experienced, Lev added.

    2025 April 28, Madeline Holcombe, “It might be time to ‘reparent’ yourself. Here’s how to get started”, in CNN

Origin

From self- + compassion.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

self-compassion. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/self-compassion

MLA

“self-compassion.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/self-compassion. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “self-compassion,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/self-compassion.

Source: self-compassion on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.