soften

verb

ˈsȯ-fən How to pronounce soften (audio)
Definition of softennext
1
as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to alleviate
to lessen the shock of had tried to soften the blow of her rejection to his marriage proposal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of soften Meanwhile, the vitamins, delivered via skin-softening plant oils, help moisturize and firm the skin. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 Think visible under-eyes, softened liner and lived-in texture that nobody’s trying to blur away. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026 The seemingly minor decision softens what otherwise might have been a severe expanse of metal. — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026 The water alone will create steam in the microwave, softening any hardened debris. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for soften
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soften
  1. weaken
  2. alleviate
  3. mitigate
  4. temper
  5. buffer
  6. cushion
Verb
  • Even if Korea can maintain 2% economic growth over the next two decades, consumption growth gradually weakens and eventually turns negative, according to Goldman’s long-term modeling.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Riggs said the Teamsters’ safety argument is weakened by the inconsistent safety record of human truck drivers, who have fallen asleep at the wheel or driven while distracted or otherwise impaired.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • He was appointed as a special advisor for water infrastructure after last year’s rupture and prepared a report for the government on improvements to alleviate the island’s water problems.
    — Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But the Cloaca Maxima was primarily designed to drain marshland and alleviate flooding.
    — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of alleviate
Verb
  • Diversifying sourcing across a wider geography mitigates threats from climate change and public health crises, not only geopolitical risk.
    — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Making cookies from plastic bottles Plastic pollution is a serious environmental concern, and microbes are helping scientists mitigate the issue in a variety of ways.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of mitigate
Verb
  • The richest division in the sport might be the strongest, but financial rules, now both domestic and foreign, will do little to temper the advantage of the highest-earners.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Heat and drought were destroying the measures meant to temper them.
    — Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of temper
Verb
  • Context can be diagnosed, buffered, and in many cases reshaped.
    — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Remittances, for example, played a major role in buffering poor countries from the dire economic consequences of the COVID pandemic.
    — Eghosa E. Osaghae, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of buffer
Verb
  • Asics Novablast 6 Sneaker Energetic and highly cushioned, with neutral support, Asics’ Novablast 6 is the perfect introductory road-running shoe for folks not interested in chasing speed or superhuman distance.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This combination gives you cushioning without the sneakers feeling heavy or restrictive.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of cushion

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soften
softened
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Cite this Entry

“Soften.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soften. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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