1
as in weakens
to diminish the physical strength of
three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alleviates
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 softens
Autumn softens the vistas along the Ring of Kerry and brings a quieter pace to the historic villages.
—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
In a heartbreaking moment, Paula asks why Trevor chose her, and Ashley softens a bit.
—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
1 July 2026
Cocoa butter softens and migrates toward the surface, resulting in fat bloom—the chalky, grayish-white film that appears on chocolate that has been temperature-stressed.
—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
1 July 2026
If mixture softens after chilling, re-beat the mixture with an electric mixer or a wire whisk before serving.
—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 June 2026
Arrive early—even at this altitude, the snow softens by midday.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
28 June 2026
This recipe involves high-heat oven roasting, which deepens the tomato flavor, softens the onions and garlic, and provides a subtle smokiness.
—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
28 June 2026
Some retinol products tend to dry out the skin, but instead, this LilyAna option softens and moisturizes.
—
Genevieve Cepeda,
InStyle,
26 June 2026
Biotin, probiotic ferments, and Korean botanical extracts support stronger, healthier-looking hair, while the lightweight formula smooths and softens without sacrificing volume.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
In a heartbreaking moment, Paula asks why Trevor chose her, and Ashley softens a bit.
—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
1 July 2026
Cocoa butter softens and migrates toward the surface, resulting in fat bloom—the chalky, grayish-white film that appears on chocolate that has been temperature-stressed.
—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
1 July 2026
If mixture softens after chilling, re-beat the mixture with an electric mixer or a wire whisk before serving.
—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 June 2026
Arrive early—even at this altitude, the snow softens by midday.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
28 June 2026
This recipe involves high-heat oven roasting, which deepens the tomato flavor, softens the onions and garlic, and provides a subtle smokiness.
—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
28 June 2026
Some retinol products tend to dry out the skin, but instead, this LilyAna option softens and moisturizes.
—
Genevieve Cepeda,
InStyle,
26 June 2026
Biotin, probiotic ferments, and Korean botanical extracts support stronger, healthier-looking hair, while the lightweight formula smooths and softens without sacrificing volume.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softens
Verb
-
When the dollar weakens, commodity prices expressed in dollars tend to rise to maintain purchasing power parity for buyers operating in other currencies.
-
But the corresponding upheaval is still catastrophic for any surrounding planets, which either get swallowed up by the expanding star, or drift into wider orbits as the star’s gravity weakens—some are flung out from the system entirely.
Verb
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And without significant sanctions relief that alleviates the suffering of ordinary Iranians and sets the country on a clear path to economic recovery, difficult questions could again arise about the regime’s longstanding policy of defiance against the US.
-
Seasoned party-planners say that striving to create meaningful interactions instead of for perfection alleviates some of the stress of hosting.
Verb
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Research shows that practicing mindfulness in quiet outdoor spaces lowers stress and mitigates feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
-
Collaborating shares and mitigates the risk of straining the relationship with the company among active owners.
Verb
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The egg-crate foam promotes airflow and cushions pressure points, and the zip-off cover is machine-washable for quick refreshes.
-
Best Outdoor Decor Deals Shop Memorial Day decor deals for every outdoor space, from extra-plush patio chair cushions to a stylish outdoor area rug that’s made with weather-resistant materials and safe to use in the rain.
Verb
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In a doublet, the first earthquake relieves stress on one fault while increasing it on a nearby fault.
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Every $10 donated to Undue Medical Debt relieves an average of $1,000 in medical debt.
Verb
-
This helps create a barrier of warmer air that buffers the foliage against the cold.
Verb
-
Landing Torbert eases the sting of missing out on five-star cornerback Joshua Dobson, who committed to South Carolina on Wednesday.
-
Oil continues to fall, which eases the inflationary pressures, too.
Cite this Entry
“Softens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softens. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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