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
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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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Recent Examples of softening
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
And besides, a market that roared higher by 40% in less than seven months after the initial tariff shock last April is not one that should gain much fresh energy from incremental softening of tariff impacts at this point.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 Feb. 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
Absent a stock market crash that would spook homebuyers, the apparent softening in the housing market means buyers should get prepared to start looking again.
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 22 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
Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 3 Mar. 2026
Instead, try adding vinegar to the rinse cycle for a natural softening effect.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
This old-fashioned product is also effective at degreasing surfaces, softening water, and unclogging drains.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026
Another key part of the package is softening approvals for wireless antenna farms.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
O’Grady explained that much of the housing stock delivered between 2015 and 2023 was built with higher land and construction costs, which has contributed to stubbornly high prices despite softening demand.
—Travis Webb, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
The right curtains act as a sophisticated filter, handling glare on laptop screens and softening harsh street views.
—Maria Williams, Ascend Agency, 20 Feb. 2026
Boiling the tubers seemed to be the best option for softening before turning them into mashed yams.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Celebrated for its role in softening stretch marks, rosehip oil offers far more than body care alone.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
And besides, a market that roared higher by 40% in less than seven months after the initial tariff shock last April is not one that should gain much fresh energy from incremental softening of tariff impacts at this point.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 Feb. 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
Absent a stock market crash that would spook homebuyers, the apparent softening in the housing market means buyers should get prepared to start looking again.
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 22 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
Verb
This is a region that has emerged over the past several years as one of the few growth engines for an industry struggling with softening demand from Chinese consumers and a broader post-pandemic hangover.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 3 Mar. 2026
Instead, try adding vinegar to the rinse cycle for a natural softening effect.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
This old-fashioned product is also effective at degreasing surfaces, softening water, and unclogging drains.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026
Another key part of the package is softening approvals for wireless antenna farms.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
O’Grady explained that much of the housing stock delivered between 2015 and 2023 was built with higher land and construction costs, which has contributed to stubbornly high prices despite softening demand.
—Travis Webb, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
The right curtains act as a sophisticated filter, handling glare on laptop screens and softening harsh street views.
—Maria Williams, Ascend Agency, 20 Feb. 2026
Boiling the tubers seemed to be the best option for softening before turning them into mashed yams.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Celebrated for its role in softening stretch marks, rosehip oil offers far more than body care alone.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 19 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
-
That hasn’t happened, and attacks continue to fly, potentially weakening the eventual GOP nominee.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Bank of England officials will now have to weigh the risks of weakening demand in the UK economy, against surging oil and gas prices.—
Irina Anghel,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The National Weather Service said the temperatures are expected to rise above freezing late Wednesday morning alleviating any black ice issues.—
Staff Reports,
Hartford Courant,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Five years in the making, the Caerus Steadicam was initially designed for wheelchair users to work in the film industry, but there are advantages also for the able-bodied since the weight distribution is spread out on the wheelchair, thus alleviating the need to carry heavy loads.—
Shirl Leigh
March 02,
New Atlas,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The scandal has already led to multiple lenient plea deals, multiple case dismissals and the overturning of at least three murder convictions.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
But his crimes were taken seriously by authorities only after the journalist Julie Brown uncovered the extent of Epstein’s crimes and the lenient response from law enforcement over decades.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Here are some of the most dangerous flowering weeds around.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Some varieties can tolerate being in a home that is slightly too small for them, as this can prevent overwatering and encourage flowering.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Despite his impassive eyes, balding pate, and slit of a smile, Robert Duvall could be volcanic and melancholic, mysterious and straightforward, vengeful and merciful.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
In a way, this can seem merciful.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nayara opened as one of the leading eco-resorts in Central America, and that ideal has been a constant throughout its evolution.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Dollander will, in many ways, represent a case study on the Rockies’ pitching evolution.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softening. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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