as in emollient
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in mellowing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in weakening
to diminish the physical strength of
three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alleviating
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 softening
Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 24 Dec. 2024
Another indicator of a softening economy is Industrial Production.
—Robert Barone, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Its intensely moisturizing formula features amino acids that make up the protein keratin (which is key for maintaining your hair’s structure and strength) and hair-softening plant extracts.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 Dec. 2024
These are made with sunflower seed oil, avocado oil, and Vitamin E, smoothing and softening even the roughest skin.
—Veronica Booth, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024
Valuing Quality Hires The tech industry is shifting from volume hiring to quality hiring, as companies prioritize the impact of each new employee in a softening labor market.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
The company blamed worsened consumer sentiment in China for driving further softening in overall prestige beauty in mainland China and low conversion rates in Asia travel retail and Hong Kong.
—Kathryn Hopkins, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024
The spray-on scent has a skin-softening base of sweet almond, macadamia, argan, and apricot kernel oils.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
Avoid items that show signs of changes in food texture, such as softening or ice crystals.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
An iron deficiency may lead to nail changes such as softening and weakness.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 24 Dec. 2024
Another indicator of a softening economy is Industrial Production.
—Robert Barone, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Its intensely moisturizing formula features amino acids that make up the protein keratin (which is key for maintaining your hair’s structure and strength) and hair-softening plant extracts.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 Dec. 2024
These are made with sunflower seed oil, avocado oil, and Vitamin E, smoothing and softening even the roughest skin.
—Veronica Booth, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024
Valuing Quality Hires The tech industry is shifting from volume hiring to quality hiring, as companies prioritize the impact of each new employee in a softening labor market.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
The company blamed worsened consumer sentiment in China for driving further softening in overall prestige beauty in mainland China and low conversion rates in Asia travel retail and Hong Kong.
—Kathryn Hopkins, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024
The spray-on scent has a skin-softening base of sweet almond, macadamia, argan, and apricot kernel oils.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
Avoid items that show signs of changes in food texture, such as softening or ice crystals.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softening
Adjective
-
Plus, emollient ingredients help prevent flaking once the product has dried out.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Thicker consistencies create an emollient barrier on top of the skin, trapping in the heat and exacerbating the inflammation.—
BestReviews,
The Mercury News,
30 Aug. 2024
Verb
-
Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2025
-
With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.—
Jason Schenker,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Research — a survey of 109 CEOs of major Canadian organizations, complemented by in-depth qualitative interviews with 46 of them — suggests six strategies for alleviating loneliness that leaders can employ.—
Alaric Bourgoin,
Sarah L. Wright,
Jean-François Harvey,
Saouré Kouamé,
Harvard Business Review,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Much of this latest round of donations went to organizations focused on alleviating poverty, Scott wrote in a blog post on Wednesday.—
Tom Huddleston Jr.,
CNBC,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Far from proposing lenient surrender terms to exonerate the Confederates, Grant did so in an effort to change their hearts and minds.—
Made by History,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Britain has touted its far more balanced trading relationship with the U.S. in recent weeks, looking for a more lenient approach from Trump.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Like many other hybrid plants, African blue basil is sterile, which helps to explain its extravagant flowering; when a plant does not form seeds, there is more energy to devote purely to flowering.—
Joshua Siskin,
Orange County Register,
14 Mar. 2025
-
That stunts growth and cuts off buds that would otherwise produce the beautiful full flowering displays of natural azalea.—
Ticked Off,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Not for them the merciful expedient of a minor flesh wound or a swift death.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2025
-
An offseason full of debate about whether the Cleveland Guardians improved or worsened their roster has come to a merciful end.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Tariff timeline: Tracking the evolution of Donald Trump's trade war Trump says the ultimate fruits of tariffs will be worth the pain.—
Bailey Schulz,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
-
This didn’t seem like a calculated pivot—but an organic evolution of brand identity.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This transparency aids employees in comprehending the benefits of the new system and proactively addresses any potential concerns by mitigating uncertainty and resistance.—
Cory McNeley,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
-
What separates a great investor from a good one is proactivity around identifying and mitigating those risks as soon as the deal is final, preferably even before closing.—
Dan Hawkins,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Softening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softening. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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