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

Shares of Netflix hit a two-year low after the streamer’s Q3 2026 earnings report revealed an ongoing softening in top-line growth and a miss on advertising revenue for the full year. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

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

Verb

Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide is a rich overnight cream that helps replenish dry skin while softening the look of crepiness, fine lines, and rough texture. — Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026

Scientists at the Beckman Institute have been tracking levels of plastic-softening phthalates in the blood of children since before they were born up until age 11. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

On that topic of change, McIlroy began softening his stance about LIV players returning to the PGA Tour months ago. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

The milestone arrives at a precarious time for Australia’s festival sector, which has seen a wave of cancellations and closures in recent years amid rising costs and softening ticket sales. — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Saint Laurent sales sank 9 percent in 2024, then another 6 percent last year, amid softening demand in Asia and a cooling attitude toward Vaccarello’s rock ’n’ roll aesthetic and metallic fabrics. — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026

These Best of Beauty-winning formulas strike the perfect balance between lip care and lip color, providing both softening and exfoliating benefits and a punch of color. — Catharine Malzahn, Allure, 12 Oct. 2026

In the late 1970s, Giorgio Armani stripped the structure out of the traditional suit, softening its shoulders and loosening its trousers. — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

Even with used vehicle prices softening slightly, high borrowing costs keep monthly payments out of reach for many prospective buyers. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026