Compassionate and empathetic are antonyms for the phrase "more hard-hearted." Being compassionate means feeling and showing sympathy towards others and their problems. Empathy involves understanding the feelings of others and putting oneself in their shoes. Both these antonyms imply a softer, more humane approach towards people and situations compared to being hard-hearted. Being hard-hearted can sometimes seem like a strength, enabling a person to be decisive and focused, but it often leads to an indifferent and unhelpful approach to problems. Compassion and empathy, on the other hand, can lead to positive and constructive solutions.