bleeding-heart

Overly sentimental liberal

Bleeding-heart describes someone regarded as excessively sympathetic toward those seen as disadvantaged or suffering—used dismissively by critics who consider such compassion naive or politically motivated: bleeding-heart liberals.

The term implies softness where toughness is supposedly needed.

A bleeding heart is also a garden plant with pink heart-shaped flowers.

compassionate

empathetic

Feeling what others feel

kindheartedNaturally sympathetic and caring
altruisticConcerned for others' welfare
benevolentDesiring others' welfare

caring · tender · merciful · charitable · warmhearted · sympathetic · humanitarian · generous · nurturing · considerate

political

liberal

Open to reform

progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
left-wingPolitically liberal or radical
socialistProponent of collective ownership

reformist · egalitarian · activist · do-gooder · idealist · naive · sentimental · soft · permissive · welfare

plant

perennial

Recurring each year

shade-lovingPreferring low light
pinkPale red hue
pendantSuspended jewelry ornament

arching · fernlike · woodland · fringed · rhizome · dormant · heirloom · old-fashioned · romantic · delicate

Opposites

political compassion/toughness

bleeding-hearthardliner

Strict policy advocate

hawk · hard-nosed · conservative · right-winger · reactionary

emotional disposition toward others' problems

bleeding-hearthard-hearted

Lacking sympathy or mercy

cold-hearted · callous · heartless · unsympathetic · unfeeling

emotional approach to social issues

bleeding-hearthard-hearted

Lacking sympathy or mercy

cold-hearted · callous · unsympathetic · hardhearted · tough-minded

Family

bleed, bleeds, bled, bleeder, bleeders, bleeding, heart, hearts, hearted

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Mostly American · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG