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
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Recent Examples of softened
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
This unique pie is made from a giant sugar cookie topped with softened cream cheese and a beautiful array of fresh fruits.
—Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026
An excessive need for approval leads to softened feedback, inconsistent standards, and avoided difficult conversations, eroding accountability.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Top with the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting made with softened butter, cream cheese, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
Once shimmering, add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and slightly translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Due to their softened texture, the bones are generally safe, but there are exceptions.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 21 Apr. 2026
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, 9 Apr. 2026
Room-temperature eggs, along with softened butter and cream cheese, blend more smoothly, helping the batter emulsify and bake evenly.
—Inés Anguiano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Mar. 2026
Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Models moved through the room as guests held martinis and champagne cocktails, the old banking-room architecture softened by greenery, music and the glow of a crowd that had clearly understood the brief.
—Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026
Freeman has targeted 3,000 hits for some time now, but that has softened somewhat recently.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
In addition to eliminating subsidies, the White House softened Biden- and Obama-era regulations designed to push traditional automakers into offering more EVs by toughening tailpipe emission standards.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Add 1 white or yellow onion, finely chopped, 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped, a large pinch of kosher salt, and a large pinch of freshly ground pepper and cook, stirring often, until onion is softened and translucent, 8–10 minutes.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 June 2026
The actor, 56, played Kenny, the burnout brother who softened to family life over an unforgettable summer.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
The evening event in Portland is taking place two days before a Democratic primary that is still seen as Platner's to win, but which could provide clues as to whether enthusiasm for his iconoclastic candidacy has softened.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
Last year, Kennedy’s ACIP didn’t issue a guidance on COVID vaccines until September, then softened the recommendations for their use, sowing confusion as pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and patients tried to figure out who was eligible for the shots and whether insurers would pay.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
Adjective
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
This unique pie is made from a giant sugar cookie topped with softened cream cheese and a beautiful array of fresh fruits.
—Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026
An excessive need for approval leads to softened feedback, inconsistent standards, and avoided difficult conversations, eroding accountability.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Top with the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting made with softened butter, cream cheese, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
Once shimmering, add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and slightly translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Due to their softened texture, the bones are generally safe, but there are exceptions.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 21 Apr. 2026
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, 9 Apr. 2026
Room-temperature eggs, along with softened butter and cream cheese, blend more smoothly, helping the batter emulsify and bake evenly.
—Inés Anguiano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
But after discussions with business owners, Lucas softened his stance.
—Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Models moved through the room as guests held martinis and champagne cocktails, the old banking-room architecture softened by greenery, music and the glow of a crowd that had clearly understood the brief.
—Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026
Freeman has targeted 3,000 hits for some time now, but that has softened somewhat recently.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
In addition to eliminating subsidies, the White House softened Biden- and Obama-era regulations designed to push traditional automakers into offering more EVs by toughening tailpipe emission standards.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Add 1 white or yellow onion, finely chopped, 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped, a large pinch of kosher salt, and a large pinch of freshly ground pepper and cook, stirring often, until onion is softened and translucent, 8–10 minutes.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 June 2026
The actor, 56, played Kenny, the burnout brother who softened to family life over an unforgettable summer.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
The evening event in Portland is taking place two days before a Democratic primary that is still seen as Platner's to win, but which could provide clues as to whether enthusiasm for his iconoclastic candidacy has softened.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
Last year, Kennedy’s ACIP didn’t issue a guidance on COVID vaccines until September, then softened the recommendations for their use, sowing confusion as pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and patients tried to figure out who was eligible for the shots and whether insurers would pay.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softened
Adjective
-
As the story goes, attendance was weak, the weather was bad, and the tournament experience was just lacking.—
James Burky,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
As many as 40 states combine one-party control with institutional barriers weak enough to fall to political pressure.—
Bruce Sibley,
Time,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Since taking office in October 2024, President Prabowo Subianto has weakened the institutional guardrails that once constrained fiscal expansion and protected central‑bank independence.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Over the course of two summers, the Kings weakened the fulcrum of their roster by losing Matt Roy and Vladislav Gavrikov in free agency, then exacerbating matters by casting off Jordan Spence for a modest return.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Wayfair alleviated some of the overwhelm by sharing its best-sellers list, teeming with popular pieces loved by shoppers.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
-
The city has fallen back on multiple tax measures to draw more money, though spending cuts have also alleviated — for now — yearly deficits in the General Purpose Fund budget, which pays for most salaries and daily operations.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Osa Odighizuwa won’t ever be confused for Garrett, but the 49ers are convinced their feeble pass rush will improve thanks to Odighizuwa’s interior work.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
-
The Rock People were a feeble attempt to cash in on the shapeshifting craze, as Stonedar, Rokkon, and Granita (the latter never immortalized as an action figure) could turn themselves into… er, meteors.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
What can be done Many of these health harms can be mitigated through better planning and design.—
Ed Maibach,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
-
Still, this could be mitigated by offering flag in a different season – for example, the spring – than tackle, which is played in the fall.—
Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Early on in his first five, six starts, there were a lot of balls in play, obviously some soft contact, balls at guys.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
This mini dress is made from lightweight fabric that feels soft against the skin and has a breezy silhouette that keeps it from clinging.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Commitment to the greater good buffered the AI aversion.—
Melissa A. Wheeler,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Multiple security checkpoints buffered the site from the street, and officers from both agencies maintained a heavy presence throughout the groundbreaking ceremony.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Bidding is limited to firms owned by disabled veterans.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
Across-the-board benefit cuts would significantly impact retirees, disabled workers and survivors, especially amid rising living costs.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softened. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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