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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Peter’s complicated, compassionate personality continues to drive the series.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
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His sense of humor was unmatched, and his ability to connect with anyone was a testament to his compassionate soul.—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The primary seller gets to look benevolent, having kept prices low for fans.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2026
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While the kind of protection offered by Herakles or the Hulk comes with the risk of uncontrollable rage and indiscriminate destruction, and Oedipus seems more of a supervillain than a benevolent guardian, there was a kind of Greek hero that was seen as a defender.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Annually, on Mogen and Kernodle’s birthdays — designated Maddie May Day and Xanapalooza — the foundation encourages people to be kind to others and spend time with loved ones, in remembrance.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
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Pai will play Henry, the head groundskeeper of Hartford Park, who is kind, charming, and knowledgeable about plants.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Oliver said that the agricultural department is sympathetic toward the affected peach growers and does not mean to invoke the state abandoned orchard law as a threat.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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But the court appeared sympathetic to the A’s central claims, striking the petition only because a separate, ongoing legal process in Los Angeles has forced the state Department of Toxic Substances Control to keep its existing policies on the books for the time being.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The mom of five said the humane society told her -- and shared in a Facebook post -- that June had been spotted by someone at a local monument company in Needham, about 15 minutes and less than 10 miles from her home, and had brought him into the shelter.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Check your local humane shelter or reputable breeders in your area.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softhearted. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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