Softhearted
What it means
Readily moved by compassion and inclined to respond with kindness.
Reach for it when praising tenderness when it leads to humane care
The softhearted custodian kept a bowl of water outside for every stray dog.
Words to choose between 8
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm |
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| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when considerate conduct is all the evidence supports
Careful Kindness can be principled or habitual without emotional softness.
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warm
Fits when understanding suffering leads to a wish to help
Careful Compassionate is more deliberate and does not imply being easily moved.
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warm
Fits when manner and touch avoid harshness
Careful A gentle manner may reflect restraint rather than a readily moved heart.
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warm
Fits when concern arises from understanding someone's difficulty
Careful Sympathy can remain a feeling without the generous response suggested by softhearted.
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professional
Fits when treatment actively respects welfare and dignity
Careful Humane describes standards or conduct more than a person's tender disposition.
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formal
Fits when someone with power chooses leniency
Careful Mercy requires a power to punish or withhold, which ordinary tenderness does not.
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formal
sentimental
Fits when emotion attaches strongly to memories or symbols
Careful It can imply excessive feeling and is not reliable praise for compassion.
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literary
Fits when emotional tenderness is the exact praise
Careful It shares the sentimental tone and may feel old-fashioned in professional writing.
Opposites 3
- hardhearted
- callous
- cruel
Common phrases 3
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softhearted person
A softhearted person, Una kept every thank-you drawing from the children.
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softhearted nature
His softhearted nature appeared whenever an injured bird reached the yard.
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too softhearted
She was not too softhearted to set limits; she simply set them without cruelty.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated