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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of softening
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
Samuel Corum | Bloomberg | Getty Images Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran on Monday advocated for further interest rate cuts as a way stave off a potential economic softening ahead.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
Aouli says this generational shift away full-bodied, rich, and higher-alcohol wines has been most noticeable in the past 12 to 18 months—and the softening in demand for Bordeaux is most noticeable with vintages from 2010 onwards.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2025
The broader grocery sector is battling a number of headwinds in 2025, driven by tariffs but also measured declines in consumer confidence and signs that shoppers are pulling back on even essential purchases amid persistent inflation and a softening of the labor market.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
However, experts Takeda and Kingston warn that those could simply reflect a strategic softening to help her electoral prospects, without any real change of convictions.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Fischer especially recommends making sound-softening updates in rooms with higher ceilings, open layouts, and hardwood flooring, all of which can amplify echo and reverb.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Mulch can act as a softening barrier to reduce splashing.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
That oversupply and softening demand translates to downward pressure on prices, Cain said.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 9 Jan. 2026
The December nonfarm payrolls report showed a stable, albeit softening, labor market that may still lead the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, perhaps as early as the Spring.
—Sean Conlon,sarah Min,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
That oversupply and softening demand translates to downward pressure on prices, Cain said.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
The seasonal shift to cheaper winter-blend gasoline could help offset cost increases related to the refinery fire, softening the impact for drivers.
—Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
In what could be another sign of a softening labor market, October layoffs jumped 175% from a year ago to 153,074, the highest level since 2003, Challenger, Gray & Christmas said.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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
Samuel Corum | Bloomberg | Getty Images Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran on Monday advocated for further interest rate cuts as a way stave off a potential economic softening ahead.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
Aouli says this generational shift away full-bodied, rich, and higher-alcohol wines has been most noticeable in the past 12 to 18 months—and the softening in demand for Bordeaux is most noticeable with vintages from 2010 onwards.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2025
The broader grocery sector is battling a number of headwinds in 2025, driven by tariffs but also measured declines in consumer confidence and signs that shoppers are pulling back on even essential purchases amid persistent inflation and a softening of the labor market.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
However, experts Takeda and Kingston warn that those could simply reflect a strategic softening to help her electoral prospects, without any real change of convictions.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
Each of the eight luxurious scents is packed with softening coconut oil and shea butter.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Fischer especially recommends making sound-softening updates in rooms with higher ceilings, open layouts, and hardwood flooring, all of which can amplify echo and reverb.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Mulch can act as a softening barrier to reduce splashing.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
That oversupply and softening demand translates to downward pressure on prices, Cain said.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 9 Jan. 2026
The December nonfarm payrolls report showed a stable, albeit softening, labor market that may still lead the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, perhaps as early as the Spring.
—Sean Conlon,sarah Min,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
That oversupply and softening demand translates to downward pressure on prices, Cain said.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
The seasonal shift to cheaper winter-blend gasoline could help offset cost increases related to the refinery fire, softening the impact for drivers.
—Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
In what could be another sign of a softening labor market, October layoffs jumped 175% from a year ago to 153,074, the highest level since 2003, Challenger, Gray & Christmas said.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softening
Adjective
-
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
-
The formula is infused with emollient fatty acids to help support the skin’s moisture barrier, while its semi-sheer finish ensures a soft glow—far from the heavy-handed bronzer looks of the mid-2010s.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Milk, butter and cheese prices on the wholesale market and at grocery stores have decreased slightly due to oversupply and weakening consumer demand.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This suggests consumers enter 2026 with continuing concerns over high prices and weakening labor market conditions.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Lamont, while not weighing in directly on Iroquois’ proposal, has been generally supportive of expanding pipelines as a way of increasing the supply of natural gas flowing into New England and alleviating winter price spikes.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
9 Jan. 2026
-
However, $500 million in homelessness funds approved last year will still be available to local governments — as long as the state determines cities and counties applying for the money have made sufficient progress in alleviating the crisis.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Young said the punishment was too lenient and only encouraged him to be violent in the future.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The lenient sentence was thanks to the plea deal between the prosecution and defense teams, KJRH and The Journal Record reported.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The nonprofit group, which is celebrating 75 years of bringing together orchid enthusiasts while providing educational opportunities and supporting conservation efforts, will haul in thousands of the delicate flowering plants from growing centers around the world.—
Kari Barnett,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Some grow light bulbs emit red light that supports flowering and fruiting, while other grow lights emit blue light that supports vegetative growth.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And what seemed most probably was a blip ultimately dominoed into the disillusioning 2025 season that will come to a merciful end on Sunday in Las Vegas.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 Jan. 2026
-
This was seen by the founders as a merciful act, stemming from the tradition of old English law.—
Stewart Ulrich,
The Conversation,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The final part of the dormancy evolution puzzle is what ecologists refer to as the ecological niche a species occupies — the specific set of conditions that species evolved to exploit or the conditions under which that species is likely to be more successful when compared to other species.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The evolution of the machines Part of the enduring appeal is that claw machines still invite debate about fairness, skill, and rigging.—
Anna Rahmanan,
thehustle.co,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At the center of crucial decisions on energy resources, mitigating climate change, changes in telecommunications and transportation and the safety of natural gas pipelines is the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Helping disabled people regain autonomy, building a device for consumers to play video games, or mitigating the singularity, a theoretical future in which artificial intelligence has surpassed human intelligence?—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softening. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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