Synonyms of softens

softens

verb

present tense third-person singular of soften

1

as in weakens

to diminish the physical strength of

three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakens
• hurts
• wastes
• exhausts
• injures
• debilitates
• saps
• paralyzes
• enervates
• tires
• enfeebles
• depletes
• damages
• depresses
• prostrates
• impairs
• devitalizes
• cripples
• disables
• incapacitates
• etiolates
• impoverishes
• harms
• hamstrings
• grinds (down)
• lays up
• wears out
• wears down
• washes out
• invalids
• unmans
• breaks down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strengthens
• fortifies
• energizes
• invigorates
• rejuvenates
• recruits
• hardens
• toughens
• vitalizes
• seasons
• beefs (up)

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

• alleviates
• mitigates
• tempers
• cushions
• relieves
• buffers
• eases
• dulls
• modulates
• deadens
• dampens
• lightens
• moderates
• gentles
• baffles
• allays
• obtunds
• assuages

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• intensifies
• heightens
• sharpens

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of softens

After the first 10 handshakes, the chatter softens to a murmur. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026

The Raylan Leather Armchair has timeless elegance, with high-quality, top-grain leather that develops a rich patina and softens with use. — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2026

The co-CEOs have modeled a cash ramp-up in coming years but meanwhile there’s not a big cushion if churn rises, cable-network declines accelerate, the box office softens again or there’s macroeconomic or geopolitical disruption. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Revenue may be holding up even as calendar productivity softens, creating an important trade-off for buyers to consider. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

If buyers have already seen your ad several times, engagement softens, giving the platform another reason to show something else. — Matt Jayson, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid draws moisture into skin for a more immediate plumping effect that softens the appearance of lines. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026

The formula pairs urea with moisturizing and barrier-supporting ingredients in a rich cream that softens dry hands and cuticles without leaving behind a greasy finish. — Danielle James, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2026

But lady-like neutrals offer understated elegance that elongates the fingers and instantly softens the look of the hands. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 18 Sep. 2026