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 Back in July 2023, the Fast & Furious star took to Instagram with a heartfelt PSA practically begging for someone to help connect him with Blige. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Meanwhile, Bergen enjoys posting throwback pictures and heartfelt snaps with her grandkids. Jessica Booth, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Something truly eclectic, heartfelt, and genre-defying. Caroline Tell, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Safdie's direction balances the brutality of the ring w/ a humane & heartfelt narrative. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heartfelt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartfelt
Adjective
  • Before too long, though, Sacrifice ventures off into much stranger, more sincere territory, becoming a drama that mulls over surrendering to a higher power.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Florida already has broad medical and religious exemptions for childhood vaccines, so any family that has a sincere opposition to vaccination can opt out.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Algorithmic Literacy requires genuine technical comprehension of AI capabilities, constraints, and ethical implications.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But despite a certain staginess, and a tendency for the plot to suddenly stop to make way for the acting, Hedda is actually a genuine attempt to mine something new from the old text, a compelling fusion of Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn and Stephen Fry’s Bright Young Things.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Sep. 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 11 Sep. 2025.

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