Entry Word: soft

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 not loud in pitch or volume <soft music played in the background while we ate>

Synonyms dull, low, quiet

Related Words dead, silent, still; dreamy, peaceful, restful, soothing, tranquil; muffled, muted, softened, toned (down)

Near Antonyms brazen, dinning, discordant, noisy, obstreperous, raucous, rip-roaring, vociferous; grating, harsh, shrill, strident

Antonyms blaring, blasting, booming, clamorous, clangorous, deafening, earsplitting, loud, piercing, resounding, ringing, roaring, sonorous, stentorian, thunderous

2 smooth or delicate in appearance or feel <I like this sweater the best because it is so soft and comfortable>

Synonyms cottony, downy, satin, satiny, silken, silky, velvety

Related Words creamy; delicate, fine, slick, smooth

Near Antonyms bumpy, lumpy, pebbly; broken, jagged, ragged, rugged; grainy, granular, gritty

Antonyms coarse, harsh, rough, scratchy

3 giving easily to the touch <soft mattresses make it very easy to fall asleep, but they have a tendency to get lumpy>

Synonyms flabby, mushy, pulpy, spongy, squashy, squishy

Related Words unhardened; doughy, fleshy; droopy, flaccid, floppy, lank, limp, slack, yielding; compressible, malleable, pliable, pliant, workable

Near Antonyms inflexible, resilient, rigid, stiff, tense; resistant, sound, strong, sturdy, tough, unyielding; hardened, indurated, tempered

Antonyms firm, hard, solid

4 involving minimal difficulty or effort <looking for a soft job in local government> — see easy 1
5 lacking bodily strength <soft recruits who will get toughened up in the army> — see weak 1
6 lacking strength of will or character <a soft woman who tends to yield to stronger personalities> — see weak 2
7 not harsh or stern especially in manner, nature, or effect <a soft breeze coming off the lake> — see gentle 1
8 providing physical comfort <a warm, soft bed to rest my weary bones> — see comfortable 1