soften up
phrasal verb
softened up; softening up; softens up
1
: to treat (someone) very well or kindly in order to make that person more likely to help one, give one something, etc.
He tried to soften her up by buying her flowers.
2
: to weaken (an enemy) through military attacks
They used artillery to soften up the enemy's defenses before launching a full-scale attack.
Examples of soften up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Was the little wobble in popular momentum stocks enough to soften up expectations to receive good news on tech results with enthusiasm?
—
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2025
While considerably smaller, Lindy doesn’t exactly soften up post-transformation.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Its modern design includes numerous arched windows and doorways that soften up the architecture, along with a wavy accent wall that leads you from the entrance into the rest of the abode.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
The star completed her look with chunky peep-toe silver platform heels and softened up her makeup with dark brown eye shadow, a peachy gloss and matching colored blush on her cheeks.
—Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Then, apply that paste directly to the baking sheet.
Step 5: Behar recommends letting this sit for at least 15-20 minutes to soften up the debris and make scrubbing easier.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
Her review of the best Amazon sheets notes that these are crisp at first but soften up after a couple of washes.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 18 Aug. 2025
This helps prevent wilting, but also softens up and removes dirt and bugs on the stems.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2025
Israel softened up the target; America delivered the coup de grace.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 July 2025
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Michael Santoli, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2025
While considerably smaller, Lindy doesn’t exactly soften up post-transformation.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Its modern design includes numerous arched windows and doorways that soften up the architecture, along with a wavy accent wall that leads you from the entrance into the rest of the abode.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
The star completed her look with chunky peep-toe silver platform heels and softened up her makeup with dark brown eye shadow, a peachy gloss and matching colored blush on her cheeks.
—Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Then, apply that paste directly to the baking sheet.
Step 5: Behar recommends letting this sit for at least 15-20 minutes to soften up the debris and make scrubbing easier.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
Her review of the best Amazon sheets notes that these are crisp at first but soften up after a couple of washes.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 18 Aug. 2025
This helps prevent wilting, but also softens up and removes dirt and bugs on the stems.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2025
Israel softened up the target; America delivered the coup de grace.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Soften up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soften%20up. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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