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
-
Officials expect about 100 prisoners each year will qualify for compassionate release, Buis said.—
Don Thompson,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
-
When delivering bad news, be succinct and compassionate.—
Roberta Matuson,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The music is worshipped, but elsewhere there is an undercurrent of lawlessness and benevolent revolution.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
This domino effect is the unintended benevolent effect of the one individual acting in their own self interest.—
Hessie Jones,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
She was described as being polite, kind, had a nice smile.—
Vladimir Duthiers, Paul LaRosa,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2025
-
While former Lakers guard Max Christie gave Pelinka a kind reception, Anthony Davis was the contrary.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And this is clearly a policy that pisses off a lot of the business community, which Trump has been very sympathetic to, and which has rewarded him with a lot of support, especially the second time around.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
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Valadao on tariffs Valadao, a dairy farmer deeply involved in trade issues, is sympathetic.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The humane society wrote that the giant bird has sustained injuries to its neck and right wing, and officers with the organizations Humane Officers & Emergency Response Team sprung into action.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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There’s a very humane experience for a lot of people.—
Matthew Jacobs,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softhearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softhearted. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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