softened; softening
ˈsȯ-fə-niŋ 
ˈsȯf-niŋ
1
: to make soft or softer
2
a
: to weaken the military resistance or the morale of especially by harassment (such as preliminary bombardment)
—often used with up
b
: to impair the strength or resistance of
—often used with up
soften up a sales prospect
: to become soft or softer
her face softened
Examples of soften in a Sentence
The butter will soften if left on the counter overnight.
The recipe called for one stick of butter, softened.
The oil is used to soften and preserve the leather.
The lotion softens dry skin.
The company has softened its stance on dating in the workplace.
Her face softened when he entered the room.
His criticism of the president has softened in the past year.
The grass softened my fall.
Recent Examples on the Web
Yet analysts expect her stance on visits to the Yasukuni shrine will soften in office.
—
Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Place softened butter and cream cheese in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until creamy, about 2 minutes.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
The Mayo Clinic said the best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to eat high-fiber foods or take fiber supplements to soften stool, drink plenty of fluids and avoid long periods of pushing or straining.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Compared to refrigerator-temperature butter, softened butter blends more easily with the other wet ingredients.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soften
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Place softened butter and cream cheese in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until creamy, about 2 minutes.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
The Mayo Clinic said the best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to eat high-fiber foods or take fiber supplements to soften stool, drink plenty of fluids and avoid long periods of pushing or straining.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Compared to refrigerator-temperature butter, softened butter blends more easily with the other wet ingredients.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soften
Cite this Entry
“Soften.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soften. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
soften
verb
soft·en
ˈsȯ-fən
softened; softening
ˈsȯf-(ə-)niŋ
1
: to make or become soft or softer
2
: to lessen the strength of
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