as in sincere
genuine in feeling a number of the retiring teacher's former students have expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the invaluable lessons they learned in his classroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word heartfelt distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of heartfelt are hearty, sincere, unfeigned, and wholehearted. While all these words mean "genuine in feeling," heartfelt suggests depth of genuine feeling outwardly expressed.

expresses our heartfelt gratitude

When could hearty be used to replace heartfelt?

The words hearty and heartfelt can be used in similar contexts, but hearty suggests honesty, warmth, and exuberance in displaying feeling.

received a hearty welcome

When is it sensible to use sincere instead of heartfelt?

In some situations, the words sincere and heartfelt are roughly equivalent. However, sincere stresses absence of hypocrisy, feigning, or any falsifying embellishment or exaggeration.

a sincere apology

In what contexts can unfeigned take the place of heartfelt?

The meanings of unfeigned and heartfelt largely overlap; however, unfeigned stresses spontaneity and absence of pretense.

her unfeigned delight at receiving the award

When is wholehearted a more appropriate choice than heartfelt?

The words wholehearted and heartfelt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wholehearted suggests sincerity and earnest devotion without reservation or misgiving.

promised our wholehearted support

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of heartfelt Longtime Christian music superstar Amy Grant delivered a heartfelt talk at a packed Mending Hearts fundraiser breakfast in September at a swanky midtown hotel. Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025 Cristiana Girelli moved a nation with her goals, tears, anguish and heartfelt address before the president, Sergio Mattarella, at the Quirinale. James Horncastle, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025 Lauren Sánchez Bezos' son The wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos took to Instagram to share a heartfelt moment with her son setting up his dormitory. Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025 Hilarious yet heartfelt, Mom offers a refreshing frankness not often seen in today's sitcoms. Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heartfelt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartfelt
Adjective
  • Influenced by directors like Xavier Dolan, the audiovisual treatment emphasizes emotional intimacy through close, immersive camerawork and a dynamic, textured sound design that amplifies the chaotic yet sincere tone of the narrative.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 18 Aug. 2025
  • On behalf of our university community, our love and sincere condolences are with his family during this difficult time.
    Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • By avoiding these five common pitfalls, businesses can transform their customer data from a costly liability into a genuine competitive advantage that drives measurable growth and innovation.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • That’s not the start of a bad joke, but a genuine potential answer to this question.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • This was a performer whose sense of self-worth, depending on the day, ranged from unfeigned humility to desperate insecurity to full-on self-loathing.
    Bruce Handy, Air Mail, 3 May 2025
  • His life story is inspiring, and his love of country is as unfeigned as his faith.
    Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Heartfelt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartfelt. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on heartfelt

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