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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of soften
Cole's claims that in 1908, the chef dipped a sandwich in aus-jus to soften it for a customer who had bad gums.
—
James Powel, USA Today, 10 July 2025
In moving on from Tucker and not subjecting a rookie to a kicking competition with a potential Hall of Famer, the Ravens softened an already volatile situation.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 10 July 2025
The buttery texture melts right into your skin, clearing away makeup and dirt while soothing and softening with algae and aromatherapy oils.
—Jeaneen Russell, People.com, 10 July 2025
Just that it’s formulated with 25% snail mucin, which boosts skin moisture and radiance and calms and softens the complexion.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for soften
James Powel, USA Today, 10 July 2025
In moving on from Tucker and not subjecting a rookie to a kicking competition with a potential Hall of Famer, the Ravens softened an already volatile situation.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 10 July 2025
The buttery texture melts right into your skin, clearing away makeup and dirt while soothing and softening with algae and aromatherapy oils.
—Jeaneen Russell, People.com, 10 July 2025
Just that it’s formulated with 25% snail mucin, which boosts skin moisture and radiance and calms and softens the complexion.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for soften
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soften
Verb
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is 86 years-old and his political power is weakened following the short war with Israel.—
Jackie Northam,
NPR,
9 July 2025
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The June jobs report showed strong headline numbers, but the underlying data pointed to a weakening labor market.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Shriners Hospitals for Children have also alleviated the financial burden on the Petersons by covering the costs of Hadley's medical procedures, some of which would normally cost tens of thousands of dollars.—
Analisa Novak,
CBS News,
14 July 2025
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And if its alleviating dryness in the air, look no further than Levoit’s humidifier which adds moisture with ease.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
11 July 2025
Verb
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This approach, the companies say, not only mitigates legal risk but establishes a higher standard for the ethical use of AI in media.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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And at least on paper, having a shutdown perimeter defender like Kawhi Leonard and a solid rim protector in Ivica Zubac as teammates should help mitigate Beal's weaknesses on the defensive end.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Actions have been tempered and countermeasures have materialized.—
John S. Tobey,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Trump has previously even quipped about how Franklin Graham, the president of Samaritan's Purse and a Trump ally, would ask him to temper his cursing.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Pack your rackets securely, often buffered by clothes or a towel, and consider using a durable bag or hard case for better protection during transit.—
Will Porter,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
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The average will drift down, but the home park helps buffer that.—
Owen Poindexter,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Verb
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It’s made of 100 percent memory foam to cushion your head and neck for a cozy rest.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
10 July 2025
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Crocs Women's Kadee II Flip-flops Perfect for poolside relaxation or beach strolls, the Crocs Kadee II Flip-flops offer lightweight foam that cushions every step.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Soften.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soften. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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