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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of softening
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
And with those contributions came the slow but steady shift in attitudes around non-interruptive content and a softening of internal skepticism.
—Jordan P. Kelley, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Cucina Enoteca Del Mar, a fixture in coastal North County for more than a dozen years, will soon be closing amid rising lease costs and a softening of sales in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
The company now provides hydro jetting, sewer repair and replacement, trenchless repairs, water damage cleanup services, and water filtration and softening systems.
—Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
Looking ahead, the dollar’s softening shows no sign of stopping, according to some experts.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
Mamdani, in the past a harsh critic of the NYPD, has signaled a softening in his stance by virtue of keeping Tisch on the job, a police executive who is not ideologically in lock step with him but has the support of business leaders, law enforcement, and political power players, among others.
—Mark Morales, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
The plan was created to restore credibility, address declining sales, a softening of demand in Asia, improve market agility, and respond to rising competition.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Nov. 2025
Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Blacksmiths have relied on the softening glow of the forge since the Iron Age, and Metallurgy 101 dictates that thermal energy makes atoms slide past each other with ease.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
Expensive; may chip easily This deep purple-red reflects light, softening the appearance of veins, sunspots and discoloration.
—Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 16 Feb. 2026
Analysts pointed to softening net new assets (NNAs) as a sore spot in the latest set of Robinhood financials.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Since then, the city has forwarded Preservation and Progress in an effort to accelerate homebuilding by softening historic preservation rules.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
On most prestige shows, a friendship between two women from disparate backgrounds would serve as an emotional anchor, softening both characters.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
If a total home water softening system is out of reach, adding one-half cup of powdered borax to the wash cycle will help improve the softness of your clothes.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
Trump, who closely watches opinion polls, removed controversial Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino and began softening his message.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
And with those contributions came the slow but steady shift in attitudes around non-interruptive content and a softening of internal skepticism.
—Jordan P. Kelley, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Cucina Enoteca Del Mar, a fixture in coastal North County for more than a dozen years, will soon be closing amid rising lease costs and a softening of sales in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
The company now provides hydro jetting, sewer repair and replacement, trenchless repairs, water damage cleanup services, and water filtration and softening systems.
—Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
Looking ahead, the dollar’s softening shows no sign of stopping, according to some experts.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
Mamdani, in the past a harsh critic of the NYPD, has signaled a softening in his stance by virtue of keeping Tisch on the job, a police executive who is not ideologically in lock step with him but has the support of business leaders, law enforcement, and political power players, among others.
—Mark Morales, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
The plan was created to restore credibility, address declining sales, a softening of demand in Asia, improve market agility, and respond to rising competition.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Nov. 2025
Verb
Your protective nature can close up quickly, but softening your tone and naming your needs invites deeper closeness without losing your boundaries.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Blacksmiths have relied on the softening glow of the forge since the Iron Age, and Metallurgy 101 dictates that thermal energy makes atoms slide past each other with ease.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
Expensive; may chip easily This deep purple-red reflects light, softening the appearance of veins, sunspots and discoloration.
—Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 16 Feb. 2026
Analysts pointed to softening net new assets (NNAs) as a sore spot in the latest set of Robinhood financials.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Since then, the city has forwarded Preservation and Progress in an effort to accelerate homebuilding by softening historic preservation rules.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
On most prestige shows, a friendship between two women from disparate backgrounds would serve as an emotional anchor, softening both characters.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
If a total home water softening system is out of reach, adding one-half cup of powdered borax to the wash cycle will help improve the softness of your clothes.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
Trump, who closely watches opinion polls, removed controversial Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino and began softening his message.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 Feb. 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
-
Unbalanced Or Leaning Tree A weakening root system or poor pruning practices can cause a tree to lean to one side.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
My opponent, Tim O’Hare, has led with ideology and performative politics, reducing transparency, weakening public participation, and creating financial instability through deficit-style budgeting and reserve spending.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Oil prices dipped on Tuesday on signs that talks between the US and Iran are alleviating the risk of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, even as the US continues to ramp up pressure on Russia’s oil exports.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Ninety-three miles of new highway lanes are planned for our freeways, with the goal of alleviating congestion.—
Chris Roberts,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Family members of the deceased said the agreements were too lenient.—
Jesse Bedayn,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The sentence Desouza received is substantially lighter than the eight years sought by prosecutors and also much more lenient than the sentences in other local cases of neonaticide, which refers to the crime of killing a baby less than 24 hours after it is born.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But some indoor plants do better snug in their pots; being a little root-bound is conducive to their growth and flowering.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Deadheading encourages more flowering.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These changes would ensure a more merciful society, one that pardons in the name not of a sovereign president, but of the people.—
Bernadette Meyler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Although Ake wants to be merciful, Anisha aided a crime that resulted in the death of a Federation officer.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One song on Laughter in Summer defines Copeland’s evolution, both musical and spiritual.—
Matthew Blackwell,
Pitchfork,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Foley anticipates more bachelor’s degrees in the future, reflecting the college’s evolution to meet workforce needs and support returning students.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softening. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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