softheartedly

adverb

as in sympathetically

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for softheartedly
  1. sympathetically
  2. mercifully
  3. charitably
  4. compassionately
  5. humanely
  6. tolerantly
  7. graciously
Adverb
  • Her excellent debut, 2007’s Free Food for Millionaires, features upwardly mobile Korean Americans whose desire for security Lee portrayed both sympathetically and critically.
    — Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • After leaving the stand, Susan nodded sympathetically to Lindsay.
    — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of sympathetically
Adverb
  • But Scott was mercifully lifted for Evan Phillips, who recorded the final out of the game to save the Dodgers from disgrace.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • And, perhaps mercifully, no VIP cabana packages, even after 26 years on the scene.
    — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of mercifully
Adverb
  • Duplan was, charitably, a poor leader.
    — Theo Baker, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The new Beaches is most charitably viewed as an oldies act for a movie.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
Definition of charitably
Adverb
  • Psychiatry is the work of building the airplane while flying it carefully, collaboratively, and compassionately, as conditions may change midair.
    — Jennifer Adaeze Okwerekwu, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
  • When delivered compassionately, a no communicates and models a strong sense of judgment as an executive.
    — Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of compassionately
Adverb
  • The administration has routinely said that its enforcement operations are carried out in compliance with federal law and that detainees are treated humanely.
    — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Also, wildlife and nuisance-animal trappers can be hired to humanely trap and relocate the felines.
    — Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of humanely
Adverb
  • Maggie also smiles tolerantly when Hank keeps his hand on her knee for a few beats too many, or leans in close during chats.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
Definition of tolerantly
Adverb
  • Rooms Like the resort as a whole, all the 124 accommodations—81 suites and 43 villas—are graciously grand, with the smallest suites stretching over nearly 1,000 square feet.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
  • All of these girls, all of them, so beautiful, dancing to the same song every night, skin against the cold security of the pole, the stage, accepting the proffered bills graciously.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of graciously
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.

Browse Nearby Words

softhearted
softheartedly
softheartedness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Softheartedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softheartedly. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zenith

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All