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

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

Recent reporting has highlighted a softening in demand for destinations in eastern Europe closer to areas of geopolitical tension, with Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece spotlighted due to their comparative proximity to countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Syria. — Sarah Allard, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026

Verb

This recipe doesn’t require much prep outside of softening the butter. — Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2026

Check monthly for signs of shriveling (add moisture), blackening or softening (discard). — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Carli Lloyd has never been particularly interested in softening her opinions. — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 10 July 2026

Acoustical panels over the stage were folded up midway through the practice session, softening the brass. — ABC News, 9 July 2026

Whether the market is softening, stabilizing, or simply distorted by overly optimistic sellers requires someone to watch and interpret conditions in the present tense. — John Walkup, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

The ingredient list includes avocado, which is rich in fats and helps boost flexibility—thereby helping to prevent breakage—as well as sweet almond oil and shea butter for moisturizing and softening. — Eden Stuart, Glamour, 7 July 2026

In addition to softening and romanticizing looks, these bottoms are extremely comfortable. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 4 July 2026

Prune juice contains sorbitol, which draws water into the colon, increasing stool volume and softening its consistency. — Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 1 July 2026