1
as in gentle
not loud in pitch or volume
soft music played in the background while we ate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silky
smooth or delicate in appearance or feel
I like this sweater the best because it is so soft and comfortable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in floppy
giving easily to the touch
soft mattresses make it very easy to fall asleep, but they have a tendency to get lumpy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in smooth
involving minimal difficulty or effort
looking for a soft job in local government
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in weak
lacking bodily strength
soft recruits who will get toughened up in the army
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in weakened
lacking strength of will or character
a soft person who tends to yield to stronger personalities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in soothing
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
a soft breeze coming off the lake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in comfortable
providing physical comfort
a warm, soft bed to rest my weary bones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in easy
tolerant and kind in the judgment of and expectations for others
felt that his wife had been a little too soft on their son, and that more discipline was in order
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in temperate
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
it was a lovely soft spring evening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
sometimes I wonder if you've gone soft in the head
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of soft
The third was a haptic interface consisting of a soft fingertip pouch connected to an adjustable wristband.
—
New Atlas, 12 June 2026
Crafted from 100 percent cotton, these shorts are soft and breathable enough for all-day comfort, even as the temperature climbs.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026
This piece looks and feels much more luxe than its $134 price tag would imply thanks to the buttery soft Italian leather construction and sheepskin lining.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 12 June 2026
The material feels soft and is easy to clean compared to plush options.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for soft
New Atlas, 12 June 2026
Crafted from 100 percent cotton, these shorts are soft and breathable enough for all-day comfort, even as the temperature climbs.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026
This piece looks and feels much more luxe than its $134 price tag would imply thanks to the buttery soft Italian leather construction and sheepskin lining.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 12 June 2026
The material feels soft and is easy to clean compared to plush options.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for soft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft
Adjective
-
Sarnoski’s version likewise recasts the female character as a benevolent force, and is largely stripped of romance — though permits itself a streak of sentimentality in a subplot concerning the grizzled outlaw’s gentle bond with a young girl.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
11 June 2026
-
The research is clear that a familiar, gentle fragrance can slow breathing, soften stress and turn a room into a memory.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
As lasers sliced through smoke billowing from the stage, frontman Tyrone Lindqvist's silky falsetto floated over a sea of festivalgoers stretching far, far, far beyond the soundboard.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
Al Bello—Getty Images Hart caught a break when Wemby, usually so silky at the foul line, missed a pair.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
In many cases, their floppy ears would get shredded, pulled or damaged when chasing wild animals.—
Pat Mueller,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
-
Don't use excessive fertilizer, as this can lead to weak, floppy plants and less flowering.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
Her voice startled me, both rough and smooth—like a bottle of whiskey set in front of a princess.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
But when a driver removes their foot from the Air’s accelerator, speed reduction is smooth.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
But his father contracted pneumonia in 2011, and after two decades in prison, his body was too weak to fight it.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
That gap is where signal blindness, misalignment, bottlenecks, execution delays and weak learning loops quietly convert external change into our fragilities.—
Christopher Washington,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
While most healthy people can recover in four to seven days without treatment, some vulnerable people, such as children under 5, adults 65 and older and those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illness that requires medical treatment or hospitalization.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Add to that the soothing rhythm of a cozy train rocking along its tracks, and everyday stresses start to melt away.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
-
The second is a soothing post-shave lotion that hydrates for up to 24 hours.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
In most other key races, incumbents maintained comfortable leads from Friday’s update, enough to avoid a rematch in November.—
Reeti Malhotra
June 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
-
These shoes help young players feel comfortable on the court and improve their game.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
