softhearted

adjective

soft·​heart·​ed ˈsȯf(t)-ˌhär-təd How to pronounce softhearted (audio)
: emotionally responsive : sympathetic
softheartedly adverb
softheartedness noun

Examples of softhearted in a Sentence

He looks tough, but he's really very softhearted. She's too softhearted to fire anyone.
Recent Examples on the Web 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 Picking up the narrative baton, Jon Hamm takes over as the most softhearted collectibles expert ever. Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'softhearted.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of softhearted was circa 1586

Dictionary Entries Near softhearted

Cite this Entry

“Softhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/softhearted. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

softhearted

adjective
soft·​heart·​ed ˈsȯft-ˈhärt-əd How to pronounce softhearted (audio)
softheartedly adverb
softheartedness noun
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