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

Then over the weekend, Lille struck a deal for Dutch side Feyenoord’s striker Ayase Ueda, which led to a softening of their stance regarding Fernandez-Pardo’s availability. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

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

Verb

These grew louder each time a Ferrari left its garage and entered the pit lane before softening again, a call and response that echoed around the circuit. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Meanwhile, softening is still seen over the rest of the year. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026

Machine drying saves time and space while softening fabrics like jeans for a more comfortable feel. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 3 Sep. 2026

Greenery becomes an artful layer, softening the building and giving it a sense of (literal) grounding that tech-adulating blobitecture often lacks. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

As long as the butter doesn’t melt, there’s no downside to softening it quickly. — Molly Allen, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026

From removing stubborn stains to softening scratchy towels, vinegar consistently tackles the problems that detergents and fabric softeners sometimes leave behind. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026

Meanwhile, the vitamins, delivered via skin-softening plant oils, help moisturize and firm the skin. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026

That’s because the scent leads with a masculine-leaning opening of almond blossom, pink pepper, and neroli, before softening to its woody vanilla base. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026