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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of softened
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
For spring, Kiton’s suits showed lengthened silhouettes and softened proportions.
—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
22 June 2026
Just add three-quarters of a stick of softened unsalted butter and one egg to the contents of the box to make the dough.
—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
22 June 2026
The researchers also identified the softened basement membrane as a target for future investigation, with possible links to fibrotic disease and scar formation.
—
Peter Jurich,
Hartford Courant,
22 June 2026
The softened fibers repel lint, hair, and static.
—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
19 June 2026
At Van Cleef & Arpels, ancient Egyptian silhouettes are realized in softened but no less splendid formats.
—
Jill Newman,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter.
—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
16 June 2026
Yet the softened recommendations for both shots that the administration and Kennedy’s ACIP pushed through since last spring are among the decisions that prompted the recent lawsuit.
—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Madeline Weinfield,
Architectural Digest,
24 June 2026
Sonko — now the influential speaker of parliament — has softened his anti-restructuring stance.
—
Jenny Vaughan,
semafor.com,
24 June 2026
Rielly had previously been unwilling to consider waiving his no-movement clause but has softened on that stance.
—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
In the summers since, aura nails have softened, turning into watercolor-like gradients that float across understated nude bases.
—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
The highest pump prices in the country have been a pain point for Newsom, who is expected to make a bid for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination and has softened his once-hostile approach to the state’s dwindling fuel-making industry.
—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
23 June 2026
However, following the Investment Research Review in 2023 by Rachel Kent, a partner at the law firm Hogan Lovells, the Financial Conduct Authority has softened the rules — allowing asset managers to bundle some payments for research and trade execution once more.
—
Ian King,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
Crisp and refreshing, the drink’s grapefruit bitterness was softened by carbonation, giving Mexico’s national cocktail a lively upgrade.
—
Sari Kamin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 June 2026
Add the shallots, hot pepper, cumin, turmeric, and paprika and cook until the shallots have softened slightly, about 2 minutes.
—
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Adjective
The reason for the temporarily softened stance is that there will be significant changes to transit services and severe street closures to accommodate the massive crowds.
—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
For spring, Kiton’s suits showed lengthened silhouettes and softened proportions.
—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
22 June 2026
Just add three-quarters of a stick of softened unsalted butter and one egg to the contents of the box to make the dough.
—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
22 June 2026
The researchers also identified the softened basement membrane as a target for future investigation, with possible links to fibrotic disease and scar formation.
—
Peter Jurich,
Hartford Courant,
22 June 2026
The softened fibers repel lint, hair, and static.
—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
19 June 2026
At Van Cleef & Arpels, ancient Egyptian silhouettes are realized in softened but no less splendid formats.
—
Jill Newman,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter.
—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
16 June 2026
Yet the softened recommendations for both shots that the administration and Kennedy’s ACIP pushed through since last spring are among the decisions that prompted the recent lawsuit.
—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Verb
The bedrooms are where the mood shifts just a bit—they’re still wrapped in wood, but are softened with velvet throws, patterned pillows, and bedding in shades of blue and green that nods to the surrounding forest and the lake.
—
Madeline Weinfield,
Architectural Digest,
24 June 2026
Sonko — now the influential speaker of parliament — has softened his anti-restructuring stance.
—
Jenny Vaughan,
semafor.com,
24 June 2026
Rielly had previously been unwilling to consider waiving his no-movement clause but has softened on that stance.
—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
In the summers since, aura nails have softened, turning into watercolor-like gradients that float across understated nude bases.
—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
The highest pump prices in the country have been a pain point for Newsom, who is expected to make a bid for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination and has softened his once-hostile approach to the state’s dwindling fuel-making industry.
—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
23 June 2026
However, following the Investment Research Review in 2023 by Rachel Kent, a partner at the law firm Hogan Lovells, the Financial Conduct Authority has softened the rules — allowing asset managers to bundle some payments for research and trade execution once more.
—
Ian King,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
Crisp and refreshing, the drink’s grapefruit bitterness was softened by carbonation, giving Mexico’s national cocktail a lively upgrade.
—
Sari Kamin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 June 2026
Add the shallots, hot pepper, cumin, turmeric, and paprika and cook until the shallots have softened slightly, about 2 minutes.
—
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softened
Adjective
-
Depressed wages, a weak currency and hyperinflation have continued to make life difficult for ordinary Venezuelans, many of whom struggle to afford basic goods.
-
There, the Sox scored on a weak, off-line throw from shallow left fielder José Caballero.
Verb
-
The decision weakened the federal Voting Rights Act’s protections against racially discriminatory redistricting.
-
Brexit’s tortuous complexity weakened governance and led to parliamentary deadlock.
Verb
-
Like the best episodes of The Pitt, this one is extremely stressful, alleviated by the catharsis of watching medical professionals do their jobs well.
-
Turning the camera assistant off seems to have alleviated those issues.
Adjective
-
Jolted by a feeble office market, a growing number of developers are considering ways to convert their office properties to other uses, such as housing projects.
-
Enervated cuteness and tryhard sincerity define a whole new wave of musicians, from Pittsburgh rockers feeble little horse to cringe-pop upcycler Worldpeace DMT to SoundCloud producer MASSI, whose songs spill with the tiny adorable detail of a toy train set.
Verb
-
As of Monday afternoon, the threat of hazardous chemicals has been mitigated, Chapman said.
-
Moore cautioned people with lung issues or smoke sensitivity to avoid outdoor activities, but said crews have mitigated the hazardous-materials portion of the blaze and are now focused on the biohazard portion posed by spoiled food.
Adjective
-
Recreational swimming is not permitted, yet anglers fishing for tilapia, largemouth bass and carp are a common sight along the rocky sides of the soft-bottom areas.
-
That first bite delivers the crispy outside with a soft chew of rice, followed by the hot dog.
Verb
-
Helsinki is buffered by more than 300 islands, and its harbor is always busy.
-
Commitment to the greater good buffered the AI aversion.
Adjective
-
The law that approved free enrollment for certain disabled veterans also provides for free PreCheck for Gold Star families and a $25 discount on the fee for active servicemembers and their spouses.
-
There are 32 parking spaces and 2 disabled parking spots within the plaza, Satvinder said.
Cite this Entry
“Softened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softened. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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