tender-minded
Gentle in disposition
Tender-minded describes someone inclined toward idealism, sentiment, or optimism rather than hard facts and skepticism.
The term comes from William James's distinction between tough-minded empiricists and tender-minded rationalists.
A tender-minded person may prioritize feelings, abstract principles, or faith over pragmatic concerns: Her tender-minded approach to politics frustrated the realists on her team.
Naturally sympathetic and caring
- warmheartedAffectionate and sympathetic
- soft-heartedReadily feeling sympathy
- big-heartedGenerous and kind-natured
- good-heartedNaturally inclined toward kindness
merciful · benevolent · charitable · humane · forgiving · lenient · indulgent · gentle
Known without reasoning
- empatheticFeeling what others feel
- receptiveOpen to input
- responsiveQuick to react
- attunedAdjusted to perceive
discerning · insightful · thoughtful · considerate · attentive · understanding · perceptive · aware
Excessively emotional about memories
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- impressionableEasily influenced or affected
- romanticConducive to love
nostalgic · wistful · melancholic · tearful · soft · maudlin · soppy · mushy
kindhearted
Naturally sympathetic and caring
- warmheartedAffectionate and sympathetic
- soft-heartedReadily feeling sympathy
- big-heartedGenerous and kind-natured
good-hearted · merciful · benevolent · charitable · humane · forgiving · lenient · indulgent · gentle · caring
intuitive
Known without reasoning
- empatheticFeeling what others feel
- receptiveOpen to input
- responsiveQuick to react
attuned · discerning · insightful · thoughtful · considerate · attentive · understanding · perceptive · aware · observant
sentimental
Excessively emotional about memories
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- impressionableEasily influenced or affected
romantic · nostalgic · wistful · melancholic · tearful · soft · maudlin · soppy · mushy · gushy
- William Jamespragmatism, stream of consciousness, pluralism, cash value, religious experience
tender-mindedhard-hearted
Lacking sympathy or mercy
callous · hardened · cold-hearted · unfeeling · insensitive
tender-mindedtough-minded
Resolute and unsentimental
hard-headed · hard-nosed · empirical · materialistic · skeptical
tender-mindedtough-minded
Resolute and unsentimental
hard-nosed · thick-skinned · hardened · steely · battle-hardened
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