as in compassionate
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others
a softhearted person who never hesitates to help anyone in trouble
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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
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The program aims to teach kids to be compassionate, accountable, respectful, ethical and service-minded in order to foster a positive and inclusive school community.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
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Abigail Marsh, a psychology and neuroscience professor at Georgetown University, says that despite appearances, people are becoming more compassionate.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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And while All’s Fair could have won us over to its cause had the cases been more benevolent or moral, the women’s work so far similarly lacks depth.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
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America appears to be, at the moment, in a sort of benevolent hostage situation.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In the past, things had been worked out regarding Billy Gunn appearing at the WWE Hall Of Fame, Bryan Danielson giving kind words in a John Cena tribute show, and Chris Jericho appearing on Steve Austin’s podcast on the WWE Network.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
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Spirited, political, and deeply kind individuals, the Christos were passionately devoted to their artistic vision.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito signaled views mostly sympathetic to the president.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
7 Nov. 2025
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Lennon, who grew up in a fractured home with little connection to global politics, is sympathetic when the Irish Liberation Army gets in touch and wants to plan concert tours that will raise bail money for their members.—
Whitney Friedlander,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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By bringing theater to people who often can’t access it, Robbins’ life mission is to show how theater can be a tool to help people become more humane.—
Senior Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Dutch is a typical Schwarzenegger hero — all rippling muscle and bravery — but with a humane integrity that compels him to keep his team safe.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softhearted. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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