as in weak
lacking bodily strength
the athlete, softened by the long period of convalescence, had to begin his training program almost from scratch
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in weakened
to diminish the physical strength of
three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tempered
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
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Recent Examples of softened
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026
Add onion and celery and cook, stirring frequently, until softened but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 23 Feb. 2026
For a Rihanna-style manicure, file your nails straight across, paying attention to clean lines with slightly softened corners.
—Lina-Marie Baatz, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2026
To remove the wax, wipe out softened wax with paper towels, add cotton balls to absorb the liquid wax, or let the wax harden and remove it by popping it out with a thin plastic spatula.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
Everything in this recipe is made with love, from the tomato sauce to the filling which is tenderly wrapped in the softened cabbage leaves.
—Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
Lightly grease paper with softened butter.
—Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
Coming on midway into the second half, a few substitutes ran with the baton against a softened opponent.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Despite softened rhetoric from White House officials, federal immigration enforcement continues unabated in the city with no sign of fundamental policy change.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
Airlines have trimmed schedules as demand has softened.
—Rajesh Kumar Singh, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
Say hello to detangled and softened curls.
—Claire West, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026
December retail sales came in flat despite the usual holiday rush as spending across categories like apparel, furniture and restaurants all softened over the month, according to data compiled by the Commerce Department.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
The leather of both has softened with age, but there are no cracks in their surfaces, the insulation is still lofty enough for thermal efficiency, and neither the Give’r nor the Kinco’s extended cuffs have stretched beyond normal wear.
—Maggie Slepian, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
Some concede that public opinion on ICE has softened in ways that could complicate their messaging.
—Nik Popli, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Humility as a first-time father in his 50s have softened the hard-charging Stewart.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2026
Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are bright green and softened, 6 to 8 minutes.
—Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The ground beef was chopped fine on the grill and folded together with sweet, softened onions and perfectly melted American cheese, all tucked into a soft roll with crisp lettuce and tomato for balance.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026
Add onion and celery and cook, stirring frequently, until softened but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 23 Feb. 2026
For a Rihanna-style manicure, file your nails straight across, paying attention to clean lines with slightly softened corners.
—Lina-Marie Baatz, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2026
To remove the wax, wipe out softened wax with paper towels, add cotton balls to absorb the liquid wax, or let the wax harden and remove it by popping it out with a thin plastic spatula.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
Everything in this recipe is made with love, from the tomato sauce to the filling which is tenderly wrapped in the softened cabbage leaves.
—Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
Lightly grease paper with softened butter.
—Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
Coming on midway into the second half, a few substitutes ran with the baton against a softened opponent.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Despite softened rhetoric from White House officials, federal immigration enforcement continues unabated in the city with no sign of fundamental policy change.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
This season, this often stark finish was softened with a hint of warmth.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
Airlines have trimmed schedules as demand has softened.
—Rajesh Kumar Singh, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
Say hello to detangled and softened curls.
—Claire West, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026
December retail sales came in flat despite the usual holiday rush as spending across categories like apparel, furniture and restaurants all softened over the month, according to data compiled by the Commerce Department.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
The leather of both has softened with age, but there are no cracks in their surfaces, the insulation is still lofty enough for thermal efficiency, and neither the Give’r nor the Kinco’s extended cuffs have stretched beyond normal wear.
—Maggie Slepian, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
Some concede that public opinion on ICE has softened in ways that could complicate their messaging.
—Nik Popli, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Humility as a first-time father in his 50s have softened the hard-charging Stewart.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2026
Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are bright green and softened, 6 to 8 minutes.
—Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softened
Adjective
-
The past four years of conflict have exposed more than one faulty assumption, not least the previously widespread belief even among Kyiv’s allies that Ukraine would be too weak, too disorganized, to resist a full-scale invasion.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Continue reading … PARTY RECKONING — Cortez Masto admits Democrats have been 'weak on immigration,' chides Biden.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Mutawa, as the religious police are known, had their powers significantly weakened in 2016.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Well, he's weakened the regulations on clean cars.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
When approached, such a goose might have made a feeble attempt to escape.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
His inability to recognize the oxymoron makes Cole’s introspection on this topic feel less like a genuine reckoning and more like a feeble attempt at bleaching out the darkest stains of his career.—
Benny Sun,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images Instacart’s stock surged 9% after the company’s robust results alleviated worries over mounting competitive pressures in the grocery delivery market.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
-
There appeared to be a lack of options in central midfield but the signing of Gomes and the emergence of Mateus Mane have alleviated that.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
They were headed home when the fresh snow, light and soft, suddenly descended from the slopes as one of the most ferocious forces of nature.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Your next best friend Weebles is the ultimate low-maintenance companion looking for a soft place to land in 2026!—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection, according to the Sacramento County Retail Food Inspection Guide.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
February 20,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Evergreen's fuel is ripe, and its forests are only partially mitigated.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Scott Quigley — which led to the death of a disabled man — staties seem concerned about the consequences the sergeant would face.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The monthly payments themselves vary widely, from roughly $180 at the low end to nearly $5,000 for the most severely disabled veterans, with higher sums tied to the number of dependents and the depth of impairment.—
Steven Beynon,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Featuring just 14 runs, the ski area is buffered by Canada’s largest natural mineral hot springs—and soaking in them is the perfect way to end a big day out on the mountain.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Mattering acted as a kind of protective shield that buffered against anxiety and depression.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softened. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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