soft-handed

adjective

Gentle; permissive; lenient; slow to enforce discipline.

Similar
amiabletendereasygoingsoftclementforbearingindulgentlax
Opposite
draconianheavy-handedstrict
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Meanings

adjectivesoft-handed (comparative more soft-handed, superlative most soft-handed)

comparative more soft-handed · superlative most soft-handed · alternative soft handed · alternative softhanded

  1. Gentle; permissive; lenient; slow to enforce discipline.

    Synonyms: amiable, tender, easygoing, soft, clement, easygoing, forbearing, indulgent · Antonyms: draconian, heavy-handed, strict

  2. Unaccustomed to hard work.

    Synonyms: lily-handed, uncalloused

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveGentle; permissive; lenient; slow to enforce discipline.

Similar
amiabletendereasygoingsoftclementeasygoingforbearingindulgentlaxlenientloose-handedpermissiblepermissiverelaxedremissfulsafesoft
Opposite
draconianheavy-handedstrict

adjectiveUnaccustomed to hard work.

Similar
lily-handeduncalloused
Also see
clementforbearinglaxlily-handedloose-handedpermissiblepermissiverelaxedremissfulsafesoft
Cite this entry
APA

soft-handed. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/soft-handed

MLA

“soft-handed.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/soft-handed. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “soft-handed,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/soft-handed.

Source: soft-handed on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.