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
But these 100% French linen sheets softened up dramatically.
—
Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025
There might be some players hoping that Friday evening’s rain softens up the course enough to make things a little easier.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 June 2025
In the end, Tess softens up and gets Anna’s struggles (and vice versa).
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 11 May 2025
Witkoff’s apparent favorability toward negotiations was cited by regional sources speaking to an Israeli newspaper as one reason Khamenei softened up and wrote back to Trump.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
Plop it onto wicker and rattan seating to soften up their edges a little.
—Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 26 Mar. 2025
The party campaign organization dedicated to electing Republicans and defeating Democrats in U.S. House races has started messaging efforts aimed at softening up Moskowitz.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025
The percale sheets are soft, crisp, and cool and will soften up over time and after multiple washes.
—Kelsey Fredricks, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Jan. 2025
Warm woods, arches, and antique chairs soften up the space.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2025
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Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025
There might be some players hoping that Friday evening’s rain softens up the course enough to make things a little easier.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 June 2025
In the end, Tess softens up and gets Anna’s struggles (and vice versa).
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 11 May 2025
Witkoff’s apparent favorability toward negotiations was cited by regional sources speaking to an Israeli newspaper as one reason Khamenei softened up and wrote back to Trump.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
Plop it onto wicker and rattan seating to soften up their edges a little.
—Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 26 Mar. 2025
The party campaign organization dedicated to electing Republicans and defeating Democrats in U.S. House races has started messaging efforts aimed at softening up Moskowitz.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025
The percale sheets are soft, crisp, and cool and will soften up over time and after multiple washes.
—Kelsey Fredricks, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Jan. 2025
Warm woods, arches, and antique chairs soften up the space.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Soften up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soften%20up. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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