softhearted
adjective
soft·heart·ed
ˈsȯf(t)-ˌhär-təd 
: emotionally responsive : sympathetic
softheartedly
adverb
softheartedness
noun
Synonyms
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 automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
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
Dictionary Entries Near softhearted
Cite this Entry
“Softhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/softhearted. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
softhearted
adjective
soft·heart·ed
ˈsȯft-ˈhärt-əd
softheartedly
adverb
softheartedness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share