as in emollient
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Dissimilar Words
as in mellowing
Related Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of softening
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher overnight, buoyed by a softening in global oil prices on Tuesday as the G7 met to discuss the possible use of emergency crude reserves to ease the supply crunch.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Shoppers rave about its fine-line softening and deeply hydrating properties that even work for sensitive skin.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
Osteomalacia, a softening of the bones, was rare but occurred about twice as often in GLP-1 users, according to the study, which has not yet been peer reviewed.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Osteomalacia, a condition involving the softening of bones due to impaired mineralization, was rare but occurred about twice as often in the GLP-1 group.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Mar. 2026
To speed the softening process, start by making a small incision in each tomato with a paring knife.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
Midweek brings a relational softening as Venus enters Pisces on February 10th, joining Mercury in the zone of partnerships, collaboration, and one-on-one dynamics.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 8 Feb. 2026
Since vitamin D helps to keep your bones strong, a deficiency can lead to bone softening and subsequent bone pain and fractures.
—Mark Stibich, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2026
Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
They are best suited for improving skin texture, softening fine lines and enhancing product absorption, allowing serums and treatments to penetrate more effectively.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
While even beauty sales are softening, that impulse hasn’t disappeared.
—Patrick Van Esch, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
San Diego’s budget crisis is prompting city officials to consider softening their policy on minimum financial reserves despite a new comparison study showing most similar cities already have more money socked away.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Wrapping cheese tightly in plastic wrap can trap excess moisture, encouraging mold growth, while also softening the rind of hard cheeses.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
The formula is packed with hydrating niacinamide, moisture-retaining hydrolyzed collagen, plumping squalane, and softening hydrolyzed elastin.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 8 Apr. 2026
The professor, who previously taught at Ferris State University in Michigan, acknowledged Denver’s softening apartment market, where vacancy is at its highest point since 2010.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026
Despite the rate of unemployment remaining low, the labor market has shown signs of softening.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
As moisture begins to build in the room, your paint will start to bubble from the softening of the wall due to the higher humidity levels.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher overnight, buoyed by a softening in global oil prices on Tuesday as the G7 met to discuss the possible use of emergency crude reserves to ease the supply crunch.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Shoppers rave about its fine-line softening and deeply hydrating properties that even work for sensitive skin.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
Osteomalacia, a softening of the bones, was rare but occurred about twice as often in GLP-1 users, according to the study, which has not yet been peer reviewed.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Osteomalacia, a condition involving the softening of bones due to impaired mineralization, was rare but occurred about twice as often in the GLP-1 group.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Mar. 2026
To speed the softening process, start by making a small incision in each tomato with a paring knife.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
Midweek brings a relational softening as Venus enters Pisces on February 10th, joining Mercury in the zone of partnerships, collaboration, and one-on-one dynamics.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 8 Feb. 2026
Since vitamin D helps to keep your bones strong, a deficiency can lead to bone softening and subsequent bone pain and fractures.
—Mark Stibich, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
While even beauty sales are softening, that impulse hasn’t disappeared.
—Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
They are best suited for improving skin texture, softening fine lines and enhancing product absorption, allowing serums and treatments to penetrate more effectively.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
While even beauty sales are softening, that impulse hasn’t disappeared.
—Patrick Van Esch, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
San Diego’s budget crisis is prompting city officials to consider softening their policy on minimum financial reserves despite a new comparison study showing most similar cities already have more money socked away.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Wrapping cheese tightly in plastic wrap can trap excess moisture, encouraging mold growth, while also softening the rind of hard cheeses.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
The formula is packed with hydrating niacinamide, moisture-retaining hydrolyzed collagen, plumping squalane, and softening hydrolyzed elastin.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 8 Apr. 2026
The professor, who previously taught at Ferris State University in Michigan, acknowledged Denver’s softening apartment market, where vacancy is at its highest point since 2010.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026
Despite the rate of unemployment remaining low, the labor market has shown signs of softening.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softening
Adjective
-
Barrier cream launches this time of year are plentiful, but there’s one that’s really worth your attention: Bubble’s Soft Swerve Barrier Restore Balm, an intensely emollient moisturizer that coats your skin in a nourishing formula that rewards you with a soft, supple complexion over night.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
21 Jan. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The spring and summer months will elicit much mellowing.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Here’s a look at my experience, which—sadly—included no dogs, but has had a subtly mellowing effect on my own mood.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, the brand has seen month-on-month declines in sales since September 2025, pointing to weakening momentum in its core NEV lineup.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Apr. 2026
-
However, some Democrats warn against weakening their candidates when facing a Republican Party that’s flush with cash.—
Leah Askarinam,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
China reported higher producer prices for the first time since 2022, alleviating fears of persistent deflation in the world’s second-biggest economy, but driving concerns of a global wave of inflation resulting from the Iran war.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The good news is that the upcoming rain will push back the start of this year’s high fire season, alleviating some concerns following the recent record-breaking heat wave.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Hochman has faced criticism for his handling of police use-of-force cases, with some questioning his decisions to offer lenient plea deals and dismiss charges against several officers.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Keep expectations lenient, and keep actions grounded.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 1980s unleashed a passionate wave of student protests and artistic flowering to disassemble the island’s brutal dictatorship.—
Michelle Kuo,
The Dial,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Then, in the late nineteenth century, the mandolin experienced a second flowering, albeit in a different guise.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ever since Jimmy Butler tore his ACL in January, the only reprieve from this slog of a campaign has been the promise of a swift, merciful end.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Guthrie and her siblings recorded videos, pleading for news, for help, for a merciful change of heart from whoever had absconded with their mom.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Chapel Street Historic District represents the evolution of New Haven commerce, the growth of its cultural life through the construction of its theaters and the development of urban residential styles of architecture.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
14 Apr. 2026
-
His appointment at the transatlantic company, which is owned by Tinopolis Group, reflects its evolution as a multi-platform media business with digital at its forefront as the industry increasingly drives a surge for sports content that spans broadcast, streaming and social media.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softening. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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