1
as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of
three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to alleviate
to lessen the shock of
had tried to soften the blow of her rejection to his marriage proposal
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 soften
Justice Brett Kavanaugh has sought to soften hardline rulings with concurring opinions aimed at compromise.
—
Nik Popli, Time, 14 May 2025
Brussels faces mounting pressure to soften AI regulations for American firms and may even hesitate to tax U.S. digital service exports in response to Trump’s tariffs.
—Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025
It’s followed by a rich, ultra-slippery conditioner formulated to soften strands, strengthen ends, and make detangling nearly effortless.
—Essence, 13 May 2025
But the key debate regarding library cuts is whether to go with Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposal to close branches on Sundays and Mondays across the board or to soften the hour reductions in low-income neighborhoods.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for soften
Nik Popli, Time, 14 May 2025
Brussels faces mounting pressure to soften AI regulations for American firms and may even hesitate to tax U.S. digital service exports in response to Trump’s tariffs.
—Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025
It’s followed by a rich, ultra-slippery conditioner formulated to soften strands, strengthen ends, and make detangling nearly effortless.
—Essence, 13 May 2025
But the key debate regarding library cuts is whether to go with Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposal to close branches on Sundays and Mondays across the board or to soften the hour reductions in low-income neighborhoods.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for soften
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soften
Verb
-
Others may develop it after pregnancy, as the muscles and ligaments around the uterus can loosen or weaken.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
10 May 2025
-
This weakens their ability to tailor experiences and erodes marketing efficiency.—
Amit Jhawar,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
Press coverage at the time of Alexander’s death focused in part on her operation of Anger Room, a business in Dallas where customers could alleviate stress by smashing items in rooms made to look like a workplace or a living area.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2025
-
This development alleviates pressures on the semiconductor industry, which has been impacted by supply chain disruptions and uncertain business conditions.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
The trillions in investment that the world needs to mitigate and adapt to climate change will come in forms that might otherwise be classified broadly as infrastructure, venture capital, or private equity.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
10 May 2025
-
These observational networks are the factual basis upon which all efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change are based.—
Eric Morgan,
Wired News,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
There is a level of excitement, sure, but it is tempered by an appreciation of the circumstances.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Director Valerie Lewis tried to temper high emotions in the room.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
For young adults, especially those in their formative high school and early college years, purpose acts as a compass—guiding choices, buffering stress, and enhancing grit.—
Laurel Donnellan,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
-
In doing so, they were buffered by other Spanish thinkers who took issue with las Casas’s arguments, primarily Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo and Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Moreover, by tapping into reserves meant to cushion the impact of recessions or other emergency situations, Newsom and legislators have weakened the state’s ability to cope with genuine economic setbacks or disasters, such as the wildfires.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
9 May 2025
-
To many foreign leaders, who grew up in a world cushioned by the postwar alliances and multilateral institutions created by the United States, the president’s approach has landed with the unsettling thud of a predawn visit at the door.—
Mark Landler,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Soften.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soften. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share