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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 softhearted
Ben Lewis Doherty, playing a boy named Sam whose life is upended by Robbie, is the show’s greatest innocent, a softhearted moppet who warns deer to be careful when crossing the street.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
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
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
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softhearted
Adjective
-
We are honored to spotlight a community that not only faced an unprecedented disaster but emerged with a stronger, more compassionate spirit.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
-
TikTokers were quick to praise Coco for his empathy and Cruz for raising such a compassionate pup.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As Sergio uncovers that the village’s devotion to Matteo is far from benevolent, his attempt to rescue the boy known as the Angel of Remis ignites the community’s vengeful nature.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Jesus and Belania shriek and thank Christian, who stands there looking like a benevolent fashion angel bestowing them with good luck.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite the genre's themes, horror fans describe their community as kind, open-minded, and welcoming.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Hearing so many kind words this rapidly leaves Kalkbrenner grateful.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Still, not everyone in the Reddit thread was sympathetic.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement As many of the best villains do, Ok-seon has a sympathetic backstory.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Residents in the town of San Rafael have reported a series of attacks from a vicious brown squirrel that sent at least two people to the emergency room, according to the local humane society.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
23 Sep. 2025
-
His general advice to people attempting to craft humane, precise, and literate prose has scarcely aged, and his own bracing style still informs and delights.—
Ben Yagoda,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softhearted. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share