as in emollient
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as in mellowing
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in weakening
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 alleviating
to lessen the shock of
had tried to soften the blow of her rejection to his marriage proposal
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of softening
Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2025
The broader grocery sector is battling a number of headwinds in 2025, driven by tariffs but also measured declines in consumer confidence and signs that shoppers are pulling back on even essential purchases amid persistent inflation and a softening of the labor market.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Besides doing the double duty of cleansing and softening, the oil is also a true multihyphenate in the ways it can be used, whether as a body wash, shaving base, or bath soak.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Investors are looking for ways to play the potential softening of the labor market and consumer spending.
—Frank Holland, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
However, experts Takeda and Kingston warn that those could simply reflect a strategic softening to help her electoral prospects, without any real change of convictions.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
The breakdown of these traditional promotional barriers has led to a softening of the hard-line broadcast deals that previously meant Star Boxer A couldn’t take on Star Boxer B simply because each fought on different platforms.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
The softening of the labor market is a major factor weighing on the Federal Reserve, as the central bank’s chairman Jerome Powell indicated in his Jackson Hole address that rate cuts could be coming.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The warmth and steam from the hot glass helps speed along the softening process.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2025
Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
In what could be another sign of a softening labor market, October layoffs jumped 175% from a year ago to 153,074, the highest level since 2003, Challenger, Gray & Christmas said.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Due primarily to the timing of major studio film release dates, a weak first quarter was followed by a blazing hot second quarter, which then was followed by a softening third quarter.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Avoid items that are softening or have ice crystals.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 5 Nov. 2025
It’s attracted a ton of speculation that maybe, just maybe, Netflix is finally softening its stance on putting movies into theaters.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025
There’s an ongoing drop in international visitors, leisure travel to Anaheim has been softening and a recession could be on the horizon.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point Wednesday, as policymakers work to shore up the softening job market.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
Women with a bone-softening condition typically caused by a deficiency of vitamin D are five times more likely to experience complications when giving birth.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
Aouli says this generational shift away full-bodied, rich, and higher-alcohol wines has been most noticeable in the past 12 to 18 months—and the softening in demand for Bordeaux is most noticeable with vintages from 2010 onwards.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2025
The broader grocery sector is battling a number of headwinds in 2025, driven by tariffs but also measured declines in consumer confidence and signs that shoppers are pulling back on even essential purchases amid persistent inflation and a softening of the labor market.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Besides doing the double duty of cleansing and softening, the oil is also a true multihyphenate in the ways it can be used, whether as a body wash, shaving base, or bath soak.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Investors are looking for ways to play the potential softening of the labor market and consumer spending.
—Frank Holland, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
However, experts Takeda and Kingston warn that those could simply reflect a strategic softening to help her electoral prospects, without any real change of convictions.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
The breakdown of these traditional promotional barriers has led to a softening of the hard-line broadcast deals that previously meant Star Boxer A couldn’t take on Star Boxer B simply because each fought on different platforms.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
The softening of the labor market is a major factor weighing on the Federal Reserve, as the central bank’s chairman Jerome Powell indicated in his Jackson Hole address that rate cuts could be coming.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The warmth and steam from the hot glass helps speed along the softening process.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2025
Verb
The seasonal shift to cheaper winter-blend gasoline could help offset cost increases related to the refinery fire, softening the impact for drivers.
—Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
In what could be another sign of a softening labor market, October layoffs jumped 175% from a year ago to 153,074, the highest level since 2003, Challenger, Gray & Christmas said.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Due primarily to the timing of major studio film release dates, a weak first quarter was followed by a blazing hot second quarter, which then was followed by a softening third quarter.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Avoid items that are softening or have ice crystals.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 5 Nov. 2025
It’s attracted a ton of speculation that maybe, just maybe, Netflix is finally softening its stance on putting movies into theaters.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025
There’s an ongoing drop in international visitors, leisure travel to Anaheim has been softening and a recession could be on the horizon.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point Wednesday, as policymakers work to shore up the softening job market.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
Women with a bone-softening condition typically caused by a deficiency of vitamin D are five times more likely to experience complications when giving birth.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softening
Adjective
-
When shopping for a hydrating lip balm, focus on nourishing, emollient ingredients rather than those that create a temporary tingle.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The formula is infused with emollient fatty acids to help support the skin’s moisture barrier, while its semi-sheer finish ensures a soft glow—far from the heavy-handed bronzer looks of the mid-2010s.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
That goes even further than DESI's hints at weakening dark energy.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The central bank cut its benchmark rate for the second time this year at its most recent meeting, in part to help bolster the economy amid a weakening job market.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The changes are aimed at alleviating stress on essential airport employees who have been working without pay, and ensuring flights remain safe.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Kuminga has been outstanding so far this season, alleviating concerns about his fit with Curry, Butler and Draymond Green.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Young said the punishment was too lenient and only encouraged him to be violent in the future.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The lenient sentence was thanks to the plea deal between the prosecution and defense teams, KJRH and The Journal Record reported.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Pousada Caminho do Sol Pousada Caminho do Sol, a mix of Tudor and Spanish architecture, is set among flowering gardens with stone walkways and a poolside patio.—
Aaron Randolph,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Getting tulips in containers through the winter is more challenging, as the bulbs are not sufficiently insulated and undergo frequent freeze-thaw cycles, which affect plant growth and flowering.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Zubac outscored Guangzhou 12-10 in the paint by himself in the first half, and that was with Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue being merciful.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Not to be the guy to be merciful and fly out benignly to right field for the game’s final out.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The evolution of his team went well.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Yet, despite his undeniable impact, Bangladesh remains a figure who often chooses substance over spotlight—a quiet architect of modern rap and R&B’s evolution.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This approach enhances the adsorption of lithium polysulfides and accelerates their redox reactions, thereby mitigating the shuttle effect and improving overall kinetics.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Batteries help ratepayers, too For some, the issue is less about mitigating climate change.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softening. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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