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
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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
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Recent Examples of soften
The fabric is washing machine safe and softens with age.
—
Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
While some folks are put off by raw fennel’s pushy licorice taste, the flavors mellow as its edges soften and become slightly sweet and lush.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025
Then, in February, two months before Adam’s death, OpenAI further softened its remaining protections against encouraging self-harm, the complaint alleges.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Chamomile softens the flame, vanilla sweetens the smoke, and the result is all loving, never strange… a total trance.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soften
Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
While some folks are put off by raw fennel’s pushy licorice taste, the flavors mellow as its edges soften and become slightly sweet and lush.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025
Then, in February, two months before Adam’s death, OpenAI further softened its remaining protections against encouraging self-harm, the complaint alleges.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Chamomile softens the flame, vanilla sweetens the smoke, and the result is all loving, never strange… a total trance.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soften
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soften
Verb
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Losing him for the entire World Series would weaken their already-thin bullpen, and force Roberts to get creative in high-leverage situations after his starting pitcher has been removed.—
Jon Paul Hoornstra,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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After accounting for lifestyle variables like exercise, the effects weakened a bit as, for example, more active people tend to spend more time outdoors.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In deeply unequal ways, the new era of networked industrialization and electrification began to alleviate the conditions of scarcity that had rendered many communities so vulnerable to the climatic disruptions of the LIA.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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Many analysts had speculated Milei would, once the election was out of the way, tilt toward a floating currency — alleviating pressure on the nation’s trade position.—
Daniel Flatley,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Keep in mind that this spike and subsequent crash can be mitigated by pairing fruit juice with high-protein, high-fiber foods, which slow glucose release into the bloodstream, resulting in more stable blood sugar levels.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
28 Oct. 2025
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But the United States can mitigate the risk by consistently encouraging vigilance about China’s threat to Taiwan.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In surveys, more than half of companies expect to raise deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, or otherwise redesign plans to temper the trend.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
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Then in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals, BYU went to the zone to try to temper a sizzling Iowa State squad.—
Jim Root,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This helps create a barrier of warmer air that buffers the foliage against the cold.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
23 Oct. 2025
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Drinking coffee after breakfast, on the other hand, can help buffer the blood sugar response.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Time to cushion the demographic shock is running out, officials fear, with the Interior Ministry warning Taiwan is in the midst of the first of two retirement waves.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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The 60% propolis extract gives it a honey-like consistency, cushioning skin with much-need moisture, while niacinamide and BHA control surface oils and gently exfoliate for a clearer, smoother complexion.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Soften.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soften. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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