Synonyms of softening

softening 1 of 3

adjective

as in emollient

Related Words

• emollient
• lenient
• merciful
• easy
• compassionate
• buffering
• cushioning
• smooth
• sleek
• slick
• calm
• mild
• gentle
• clement
• soothing
• quiet
• tranquil
• serene
• peaceful
• light
• placid
• benign
• pacific
• soft
• mellow
• bland
• tender
• balmy
• delicate
• nonabrasive

Dissimilar Words

• hard
• harsh
• caustic
• rough
• coarse
• powerful
• severe
• abrasive
• intense
• stern
• scathing
• fierce
• strong
• exquisite
• violent
• forceful
• forcible
• savage
• ungentle
• irritating
• rugged
• stiff
• grim
• roughened
• gruff
• oppressive
• rude
• roughening
• pitiless
• abrading
• tyrannical
• heavy-handed

softening

2 of 3

noun

as in mellowing

Related Words

• mellowing
• flowering
• evolution
• blossoming
• flourishing
• maturing
• maturation
• ripening
• expansion
• growth
• evolvement
• development
• progression
• maturity
• coming-of-age

Dissimilar Words

• deterioration
• declining
• decline
• decay
• degeneration
• fading
• decadence
• decaying
• wilting
• descent
• declension
• waning
• withering
• death
• end
• exit
• shriveling
• expiration
• demise
• dying
• decease
• perishing
• ebbing
• regression
• reversion
• expiry
• retrogression
• expiring

softening

3 of 3

verb

present participle of soften

1

as in weakening

to diminish the physical strength of

three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakening
• wasting
• hurting
• tiring
• exhausting
• sapping
• damaging
• debilitating
• injuring
• enervating
• paralyzing
• enfeebling
• crippling
• devitalizing
• impairing
• depleting
• disabling
• etiolating
• prostrating
• depressing
• incapacitating
• harming
• impoverishing
• grinding (down)
• hamstringing
• laying up
• invaliding
• washing out
• wearing out
• wearing down
• unmanning
• breaking down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strengthening
• fortifying
• recruiting
• energizing
• invigorating
• hardening
• rejuvenating
• beefing (up)
• vitalizing
• seasoning
• toughening

2

as in alleviating

to lessen the shock of

had tried to soften the blow of her rejection to his marriage proposal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• alleviating
• tempering
• mitigating
• cushioning
• buffering
• easing
• relieving
• gentling
• dulling
• modulating
• moderating
• dampening
• deadening
• baffling
• allaying
• lightening
• obtunding
• assuaging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• intensifying
• sharpening
• heightening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of softening

Noun

The legendary treatment may just be as famous as Oprah herself for its ultra-hydrating, softening, lifting, and glow-boosting effect. — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 2 Aug. 2026

There is no imperative on their part to do anything with rates immediately, and the softening in the pace of job growth suggests that rate hikes are very unlikely to be necessary this year. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 2 July 2026

These colors draw inspiration from the natural softening of hues often associated with beachy, coastal towns. — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026

Sure enough, since Lalas returned from Seattle, there seems to have been a softening. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 June 2026

Washing, softening, drying, and stabilizing all demand significant water, energy, heat, and chemicals. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 25 June 2026

One seasoning avenue is marinating meats, an age-old softening and flavoring technique that still works like magic. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 16 June 2026

Its softening of formality, without losing out on service or gastronomy. — Lela London, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

In offices increasingly focused on leadership presence and executive confidence, that constant softening can quietly undermine how women are perceived. — Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026

Verb

History has a way of softening the edges of even the fiercest rivalries. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

The drop was driven by worsening infrastructure, softening housing and a high cost of living. — Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

And while the letter had one notable holdout, Anthropic, the company shortly after published a statement softening its position. — Don Muir, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Credit card interest rates are high, wages are softening and market performance is unpredictable. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 29 July 2026

The curves are perfect for softening your space, especially if it’s placed along with more angular furniture, while the overall glamour of the piece would look right at home in an upscale apartment or quiet country home. — Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2026

Lander did not feel the need to appease the Zionist mob by softening his rhetoric. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

The singer styled a floral tank top from Chloé with black stovepipe jeans, softening the dark wash with a touch of flower power. — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 20 July 2026

On the skin care side, there’s glycerin, a moisture magnet, and squalane, a wrinkle-plumping softening ingredient. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 20 July 2026