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
Katzenberg bought a script called 3,000, a dark story about a softhearted prostitute and a heartless businessman.
—
Jeanie Kasindorf, Vulture, 10 July 2024
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
Jeanie Kasindorf, Vulture, 10 July 2024
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softhearted
Adjective
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Beyond his incredible work as an actor, Mason is a genuinely kind and compassionate individual who fosters a spirit of acceptance and collaboration in our theatre program.—
Heide Janssen,
Orange County Register,
16 Mar. 2025
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Be calm, be compassionate, be creative, be careful.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The benevolent master of ceremonies left a care kit beneath each audience member's seat for the nearly four-hour show.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
-
In Thai Buddhist lore, these trees, thousands of which spike Koh Samui, are home to benevolent spirits, says political scientist Pavin Chachavalpongpun, from the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Japan’s Kyoto University.—
Ronan O'Connell,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This is how we’re introduced to the story of Snow White’s parents, two kind, generous rulers who long for a child and are thrilled by their daughter’s arrival.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
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Aquarius: Doc Doc is the kind and sympathetic leader of the dwarves, who encourages everyone to let Snow White stay with them.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Trump has appointed a crypto-friendly cabinet and sympathetic regulators at the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
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And her attempts at a pseudo love affair with Matt Damon’s sympathetic Allied officer always feels more theoretical than palpable.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The most common sources for acquiring dogs include breeders (34%), animal shelters/humane societies (23%), friends/relatives (20%), private parties (12%), and strays (6%).—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
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The theory was that a smaller facility was more humane.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softhearted. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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