as in compassionate
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others
a softhearted person who never hesitates to help anyone in trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in kindness
the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune
the kind of softheartedness that makes him an easy target for anyone with a tale of woe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tenderness
sympathetic concern for the well-being of others
the widow's naive softheartedness makes it hard for her to say "no" to charitable appeals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of softhearted
Jeanie Kasindorf, Vulture, 10 July 2024
Becker shows that proponents of Brexit talked surprisingly little about the past and tried, in fact, to hang nostalgia’s toxic millstone around the necks of Remainers, accusing them of a softhearted attachment to the now sclerotic dream of European unity.
—Thomas Mallon, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023
Your softhearted grandfather might have given you one of their figurines for Christmas one year, or your sentimental mother-in-law might have decorated her guest bathroom with their wall hangings.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023
The struggle to save the farm deepens the partnership between Craig, softhearted but realistic, and Jillian, the persistent Jiminy Cricket on his shoulder.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2023
Ford received a standing ovation last spring at the Cannes Film Festival, and his gruff but softhearted demeanor works.
—Dan Lybarger, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2023
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
Adjective
Katzenberg bought a script called 3,000, a dark story about a softhearted prostitute and a heartless businessman.
—Jeanie Kasindorf, Vulture, 10 July 2024
Becker shows that proponents of Brexit talked surprisingly little about the past and tried, in fact, to hang nostalgia’s toxic millstone around the necks of Remainers, accusing them of a softhearted attachment to the now sclerotic dream of European unity.
—Thomas Mallon, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023
Your softhearted grandfather might have given you one of their figurines for Christmas one year, or your sentimental mother-in-law might have decorated her guest bathroom with their wall hangings.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023
The struggle to save the farm deepens the partnership between Craig, softhearted but realistic, and Jillian, the persistent Jiminy Cricket on his shoulder.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2023
Ford received a standing ovation last spring at the Cannes Film Festival, and his gruff but softhearted demeanor works.
—Dan Lybarger, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2023
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softhearted
Adjective
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Through his characters, Fellowes communicates his approval for a more compassionate and inclusive upper crust.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
20 June 2025
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This, for me, is a viable and compassionate way of supporting your people — those, like Griselda best said, who are the ones consuming your music and buying your concert ticket.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Indeed, the designer’s intentions are based on high ideals — kindness, tolerance and humility among them — even if his methods can sometime shock.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
25 June 2025
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Coach Wall was a remarkable individual whose kindness and genuine spirit touched all who knew him.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Each of the three leads has moments of raw tenderness, fragility, even fear that add depth to the drama.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
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Symptoms may include tenderness, redness, swelling, or bruising.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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The boys play benevolent Nathan Fielder types helping their friend Karli rehearse an upcoming appearance on the popular social-media show SubwayTakes; the prompts she’s presented with in their VR simulator offer a perfect place to nest jokes.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
26 June 2025
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Murals across Iran feature his seemingly benevolent white-bearded face.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Richard, his family, and his counsel express their deep and sincere sympathy for the family of Edwina Marter.—
Khaleda Rahman
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
-
Fans, followers and fellow parents took to the comment section to share their sympathy — and confusion.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Much like his character, Boyce is mild-mannered, kind and effortlessly funny.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
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Despite the criticism, Tonn remains grateful for the support the video has brought to the dog's case, and the majority of kind comments.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Roth went right for Rubin’s heart, invoking the Paul Skenes Topps MLB Debut Patch autographed one-of-one card that famously sold for $1.11 million to Dick’s Sporting Goods in March.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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Rather than solely leaning on designing for moneyed families and those with means to drop thousands on new pieces each season, the designer opts to create from his heart.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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Iran’s missile strike against a U.S. military base in Qatar was met with near-unanimous rebuke in the Middle East, including from sympathetic powers such as Oman.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
23 June 2025
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Trump and his cabinet members have repeatedly characterized Khalil’s advocacy as antisemitic and as being sympathetic to Hamas, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softhearted. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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