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
Capricorn December 22 – January 19 Early tension softens with thoughtful pacing.
—
Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026
December 22 – January 19 Early tension softens with thoughtful pacing.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2026
Moving the kink to one end makes that side soft and the opposite end stiff; placing it at the center softens the middle and stiffens both edges.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
The Labor Department’s report Thursday showed that the four-week moving average of jobless claims, which softens some of the week-to-week volatility, dipped by 750 to 210,750.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Your intense focus thrives when self-judgment softens.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
This gel also softens stool and slows digestion.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 16 Mar. 2026
Rather, the luxurious material softens and molds to your feet over time without losing its structural integrity.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
The key is to try similar patterns in different visual weights; here, an ultra-slim pinstripe pant softens the jacket’s medium-width, diagonal stripe details.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026
December 22 – January 19 Early tension softens with thoughtful pacing.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2026
Moving the kink to one end makes that side soft and the opposite end stiff; placing it at the center softens the middle and stiffens both edges.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
The Labor Department’s report Thursday showed that the four-week moving average of jobless claims, which softens some of the week-to-week volatility, dipped by 750 to 210,750.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Your intense focus thrives when self-judgment softens.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
This gel also softens stool and slows digestion.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 16 Mar. 2026
Rather, the luxurious material softens and molds to your feet over time without losing its structural integrity.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
The key is to try similar patterns in different visual weights; here, an ultra-slim pinstripe pant softens the jacket’s medium-width, diagonal stripe details.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softens
Verb
-
That limits air movement, reduces water infiltration, restricts root growth, and weakens biological activity.—
Dr. Avishesh Neupane,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2026
-
By Thursday night, geomagnetic activity weakens and retreats north, making aurora visibility in Iowa unlikely or very limited.—
Cooper Worth,
Des Moines Register,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Hunter trade alleviates the logjam in the backcourt, clears the way for rookie Nique Clifford to get more playing time and opens a roster spot for the Kings to convert rookie two-way center Dylan Cardwell to a standard NBA contract.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Similarly, having a closed kitchen alleviates some of the pressure of reducing visual clutter.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Yet the crisis arrives at a time when the helium market has been awash in surplus, which mitigates the war’s immediate effect.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
18 Mar. 2026
-
At least the quality of cabin materials—the complex leather stitching, the suppleness of the hide, the tasteful integration of carbon-fiber trim—lends the cabin a feeling of specialness that mitigates some of the tech frustrations.—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Stash cushions indoors or in a waterproof deck box to help prevent mold, stains, and fading.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Its dense, ointment-like texture melts on contact, forming a protective seal that cushions fragile skin while locking in moisture.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Alex Yearwood relieves Canalichio.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Putting a small pillow behind your lower back provides lumbar support and relieves muscle tension.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This helps create a barrier of warmer air that buffers the foliage against the cold.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Southlake Carroll eases past Montwood Four different players scored as Southlake Carroll blanked El Paso Montwood 5-0 in a Class 6A Division 2 area-round match on Tuesday at Lubbock-Cooper High School.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
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Carmelia, the Westminster mayor, says there is nothing to do but hope that the supply side of the water ledger eases up after the start of spring on Friday.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softens. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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