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
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Recent Examples of soften
Mulch can act as a softening barrier to reduce splashing.
—
Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
Fiber combined with adequate hydration helps soften stools and support regular bowel movements.
—Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 9 Jan. 2026
Microwave one cup of water for three to five minutes to soften hardened food residue, and allow the mixture to sit for up to 15 additional minutes, if needed.
—Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Key downtown landowners argue that knocking down city hall for an arena and all that comes with it will soften the blow of AT&T’s exit.
—Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soften
Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
Fiber combined with adequate hydration helps soften stools and support regular bowel movements.
—Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 9 Jan. 2026
Microwave one cup of water for three to five minutes to soften hardened food residue, and allow the mixture to sit for up to 15 additional minutes, if needed.
—Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Key downtown landowners argue that knocking down city hall for an arena and all that comes with it will soften the blow of AT&T’s exit.
—Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soften
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soften
Verb
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Evergreen branches bent under the weight of snow are already weakened; sweeping down the length of the branch toward the ground adds to the stress and increases the potential for breakage.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
These policies impose devastating costs on American citizens, weakening our economy, increasing the national debt, straining public budgets and tearing families apart.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Under Obamacare, both states were able to expand Medicaid to include more low-income residents, alleviating counties of patient loads and redirecting much of their funding for the patchwork of local programs that provided bare-bones services.—
KFF Health News,
Oc Register,
6 Jan. 2026
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Reducing caffeine intake can enhance nutrient absorption and alleviate specific digestive symptoms, including discomfort and diarrhea.—
Ashley Olivine,
Verywell Health,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But efforts to mitigate human harms—restricting harvests, remodeling dams, breeding salmon in hatcheries—are yielding diminishing returns.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Adding milk to coffee may help mitigate this effect.—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hill, however, said fans should temper their expectations about McDaniel and the Chiefs.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The back-and-forth with vendors is something Saks Global has had to deal with repeatedly over the past year — writing letters to brands, calming nerves with reassuring phone calls, trying to temper the cocktail party rumor circuit and in the courts.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Being more strategic than ever with personal finances can help buffer these effects.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Dec. 2025
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Small, everyday ways of being needed — helping a neighbor, being counted on at home, showing up for a team — can buffer against that harmful inner-scorekeeping and build a sturdier sense of self-worth.—
Jennifer Breheny Wallace,
CNBC,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Investors are likely to see some market turbulence in 2026, but the addition of dividend growth companies can help cushion their portfolios.—
Darla Mercado, CFP®,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The industry has hardly remained static in the half-century since, as innovations in materials such as breathable mesh uppers, cushioning foam midsoles, and lightweight EVA outsoles have made running shoes better performing—and more comfortable—than ever.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soften.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soften. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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