Definitions

soft-shell

[sawft-shel, soft-] / ˈsɔftˌʃɛl, ˈsɒft- /

ADJECTIVE

compassionate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

benevolent charitable humane merciful sympathetic warm warmhearted

STRONG

forbearing pitying sparing tender understanding

WEAK

all heart being big bleeding-heart commiserative going easy on humanitarian indulgent kindhearted kindly lenient living with old softie piteous responsive softhearted tenderhearted

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cold cool cruel inhumane malevolent mean merciless uncaring unfeeling unfriendly unkind unsympathetic

STRONG

intolerant

WEAK

hard harsh hateful indifferent tyrannous

ADJECTIVE

counterfeit

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bogus copied false fictitious forged fraudulent phony spurious

STRONG

Hollywood affected assumed bent brummagem crock ersatz faked feigned framed imitation misleading mock pirate plant pretended pseudo put on sham wrong

WEAK

deceptive delusive delusory fishy not genuine not kosher pretentious snide suppositious two-faced won't fly

Antonyms

STRONGEST

actual authentic factual genuine honest real sincere true truthful valid

STRONG

ADJECTIVE

forbearing

Synonyms

STRONG

forgiving gentle moderate

WEAK

being big charitable clement considerate easy going easy on going easy with humane humanitarian indulgent lenient living with long-suffering longanimous merciful mild patient thoughtful

Antonyms

STRONG

violent wild

WEAK

impatient intolerant merciless strict uncontrolled

ADJECTIVE

lenient

Synonyms

STRONGEST

benign compassionate compliant forgiving indulgent sympathetic tolerant

WEAK

allowing amiable assuaging assuasive being big benignant charitable clement complaisant condoning easy easygoing emollient excusing favoring forbearing gentle going easy on good-natured humoring kind kindly letting live with loving merciful mild mollycoddling obliging pampering pardoning permitting soft softhearted sparing spoiling tender yielding

Antonyms

STRONGEST

hateful merciless

WEAK

hard intolerant limiting restrictive rigorous severe

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I ordered a stir fry of crab and broken rice with greens and yam that came topped with a fried soft-shell crab drizzled with shito, a Ghanaian chili sauce.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

A couple models are sufficiently protective that the wearers don’t have to practice with Guardian Caps, the soft-shell covers that fit over standard helmets to provide additional cushion and protection.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2024

Instead of trying to pick a steamed or boiled green crab, they're better eaten in soft-shell form or used to make flavorful stocks, sauces and butters.

From Salon • Jul. 20, 2023

The clam shovel makes it easier to dig in the mud and locate clams, while the tube and net are ideal for catching soft-shell clams.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 25, 2023

“It’s soft-shell crab,” Grandma said, inching forward as the line did.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

soft-shell

Example Sentences

Related Words