1
as in weakens
to diminish the physical strength of
three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Arrive early—even at this altitude, the snow softens into slush by midday.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
Bakar’s presence softens Bieber’s bad attitude and makes the track a little more romantic.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
The elder Hall’s indifference toward his son’s life shocks even his captor, prompting a bonding moment that softens the viewer’s perceptions of both men.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
The light denim softens the structured presence of the boot, striking a balance between precision and lightness.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 23 Aug. 2025
Brian softens and agrees to the bargain.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The Labor Department’s report Thursday showed that the four-week average of claims, which softens some of the week-to-week swings, rose by 4,500 to 226,500.
—Matt Ott, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025
While frozen chives are excellent for cooked dishes, their texture softens after thawing, so they shouldn't be used as a fresh garnish.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
Under its dense canopy, just a few metres from cranes and rising concrete, the air cools, the light softens, and the noise recedes.
—Davi Neustein, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
Bakar’s presence softens Bieber’s bad attitude and makes the track a little more romantic.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
The elder Hall’s indifference toward his son’s life shocks even his captor, prompting a bonding moment that softens the viewer’s perceptions of both men.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
The light denim softens the structured presence of the boot, striking a balance between precision and lightness.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 23 Aug. 2025
Brian softens and agrees to the bargain.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The Labor Department’s report Thursday showed that the four-week average of claims, which softens some of the week-to-week swings, rose by 4,500 to 226,500.
—Matt Ott, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025
While frozen chives are excellent for cooked dishes, their texture softens after thawing, so they shouldn't be used as a fresh garnish.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
Under its dense canopy, just a few metres from cranes and rising concrete, the air cools, the light softens, and the noise recedes.
—Davi Neustein, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softens
Verb
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Bottom line—moving Space Command headquarters weakens our national security at the worst possible time.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
3 Sep. 2025
-
If employees rely on tools only for quick answers, curiosity weakens.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Thuney is the kind of player that alleviates concerns, but with his departure, the team might be betting too much on young talent.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
-
No one disputes that gentrification is real, but numerous studies confirm that building more homes alleviates overall housing costs in all communities.—
Miguel Chacon,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This critical shift not only mitigates risk but also unlocks a vast array of new revenue streams, proving the company's technology is adaptable and in demand across multiple lucrative sectors.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
This helps to prevent squeezing and mitigates friction on the feet for lasting comfort.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This high level of contract coverage provides strong earnings visibility and cushions the company against short-term freight rate volatility.—
Ankita Dhawan,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Osteoarthritis is a disease that comes about as the cartilage that cushions your joints gradually disappears.—
Caroline C. Boyle,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That relieves the burden on the central network, which lowers the risk of blackouts and congestion.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
This lavender version relieves muscle tension, soothes aches and softens skin while relaxing your mind in fragrant floral steam.—
Jené Luciani Sena , Caitlyn Martyn
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Slack in the jobs market eases some of the Fed's concerns about fueling inflation with a rate cut.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Those are the odds the Fed eases interest rates by at least a quarter-point in September, according to CME’s FedWatch.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softens. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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