as in emollient
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of softening
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Lithgow’s performance suggests without any softening of tone or characterization that Dahl’s deep well of feeling for the suffering of children is the source of his harsh condemnation of Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
But a softening of views on Cuba has not materialized despite that demographic transition.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Some recipes call for soaking bran in boiling or hot water to speed the grain’s softening, but liquid at any temperature works as well.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The brand’s Glossing Detangler has a fan club of its own (more than 2,000 people bought this treatment in the past month alone), thanks to its shine-boosting, softening, and heat-protectant formula.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 8 Apr. 2026
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
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a softening of the bones, was rare but occurred about twice as often in GLP-1 users, according to the study, which has not yet been peer reviewed.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
Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
The moisture activates the surfactants and softening agents embedded in the sheet.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 8 May 2026
Despite the results, the stock dropped after the report as investors became spooked by signs of a softening property insurance market.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 4 May 2026
Exports to the Middle East – a key market for China – are softening.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
White said that in addition to better pay, the department needs to look at other strategies to recruit people, such as softening the department’s policies on uniforms and grooming.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The offerings include a (from left, above) rich Post Shave Body Balm, papaya extract Sugar Scrub, softening Shave Oil, hydrating (and transparent) Shave Butter and a 6-Blade Razor — all priced at $10 and under — that elevate the experience from start to finish.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Meanwhile, emollient vitamin E and softening jojoba seed oil condition your natural nails, leaving them (and the skin around them) feeling softer and more hydrated.
—Sarah Felbin, Allure, 30 Apr. 2026
After a decade of animosity, opinion polls show Americans’ views of China are softening, especially among the young.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
Van Dyk at times shows his hand as the script reveals the gradual softening of the Khachaturians toward their guest.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Lithgow’s performance suggests without any softening of tone or characterization that Dahl’s deep well of feeling for the suffering of children is the source of his harsh condemnation of Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
But a softening of views on Cuba has not materialized despite that demographic transition.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Some recipes call for soaking bran in boiling or hot water to speed the grain’s softening, but liquid at any temperature works as well.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The brand’s Glossing Detangler has a fan club of its own (more than 2,000 people bought this treatment in the past month alone), thanks to its shine-boosting, softening, and heat-protectant formula.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 8 Apr. 2026
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
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
Verb
Additionally, there was mention of softening or pricing pressures stemming from the conflict with Iran, which has driven oil prices higher.
—Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
The moisture activates the surfactants and softening agents embedded in the sheet.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 8 May 2026
Despite the results, the stock dropped after the report as investors became spooked by signs of a softening property insurance market.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 4 May 2026
Exports to the Middle East – a key market for China – are softening.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
White said that in addition to better pay, the department needs to look at other strategies to recruit people, such as softening the department’s policies on uniforms and grooming.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The offerings include a (from left, above) rich Post Shave Body Balm, papaya extract Sugar Scrub, softening Shave Oil, hydrating (and transparent) Shave Butter and a 6-Blade Razor — all priced at $10 and under — that elevate the experience from start to finish.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Meanwhile, emollient vitamin E and softening jojoba seed oil condition your natural nails, leaving them (and the skin around them) feeling softer and more hydrated.
—Sarah Felbin, Allure, 30 Apr. 2026
After a decade of animosity, opinion polls show Americans’ views of China are softening, especially among the young.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softening
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, emollient vitamin E and softening jojoba seed oil condition your natural nails, leaving them (and the skin around them) feeling softer and more hydrated.—
Sarah Felbin,
Allure,
30 Apr. 2026
-
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
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
-
That separation is now weakening.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
In addition to these external influences, Dini emphasized that long-term domestic instability has left Somalia’s coastline vulnerable, weakening local institutions and lowering the risks for pirate networks.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Substantial relief at the pump will only begin to arrive if tanker traffic resumes in the Strait of Hormuz, alleviating a historic oil shortage, Krishnamoorti said.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
-
Like clockwork, the government filed a notice of appeal on the CIT decision Friday, alleviating any mystery as to its intent to seek an alternate outcome.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
The fine for smoking in public, however, is $100, which is important to remember for those coming into the city from other more lenient states.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
The parents also are concerned about whether discipline was issued fairly, claiming students from wealthy families or who are related to school employees received lenient punishments.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Hydrangeas The South's favorite flowering shrub can also be grown in containers, usually in part sun or shade.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
-
This enchanting flower is usually grown from tubers, as growing it from seed is a slow and delicate process that often leads to inconsistent flowering.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
As the sun began to peek over the hillside, offering a merciful burst of warmth, Alonso Abugattas called this year’s Trillium Trek to order.—
Ashley Stimpson,
Washington Post,
11 May 2026
-
Would a just and merciful God approve of what is happening?—
Kenneth Seeskin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
At the event, top executives and industry experts addressed hundreds of attendees on a variety of pressing themes — from AI to the evolution of retail to brand-building in an uncertain macroenvironment and more.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
Thompson, who directed a 2023 documentary on Coward, explores the pivotal relationship in Lean’s evolution.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softening. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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