softhearted

adjective

soft·​heart·​ed ˈsȯf(t)-ˌhär-təd How to pronounce softhearted (audio)
: emotionally responsive : sympathetic
softheartedly adverb
softheartedness noun

Example Sentences

He looks tough, but he's really very softhearted. She's too softhearted to fire anyone.
Recent Examples on the Web How to adopt: Interested adopters can meet softhearted Summer at the Arizona Humane Society’s South Mountain location. The Republic, The Arizona Republic, 28 Apr. 2023 Mashed potatoes are going on the menu, and Tina, the sharp-tongued, softhearted vegetable cook, has just pulled a sheet pan of whole potatoes from the oven. New York Times, 11 July 2022 Chuntao doesn’t want to, but her softhearted husband insists. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2021 Picking up the narrative baton, Jon Hamm takes over as the most softhearted collectibles expert ever. Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2018 Mr. Dylan, who was never exactly a softhearted songwriter, now openly confronts both his crumbling voice and a treacherous world, while the Rolling Stones continue, stubbornly and miraculously, to romp across stages. Jon Pareles, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'softhearted.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of softhearted was circa 1586

Dictionary Entries Near softhearted

Cite this Entry

“Softhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/softhearted. Accessed 5 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

softhearted

adjective
soft·​heart·​ed ˈsȯft-ˈhärt-əd How to pronounce softhearted (audio)
softheartedly adverb
softheartedness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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