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
The lower proof softens the sharper mineral and vegetal edges, making the spirit smoother and more accessible when neat.
—
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Acting as an easy alternative to trousers, the skirt instantly softens tailoring and lends a more undone, modern feel to suiting.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Easy, breezy, and resort-ready, this strapless linen maxi dress softens with every wear.
—Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026
That led to a revision in April that softens the rules’ impact — most obviously on refiners who have been threatening to leave California — but environmental groups are very critical.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
And in between it all, there are spaces like Stem and Vine, where the energy softens.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 May 2026
All four were shot in Jakarta, and none of them softens its subject matter.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2026
The scattering effect softens details and is simply unavoidable—there's no getting around the laws of physics.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 13 May 2026
As the light softens, continue to Westport, your base for the next two nights.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Acting as an easy alternative to trousers, the skirt instantly softens tailoring and lends a more undone, modern feel to suiting.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Easy, breezy, and resort-ready, this strapless linen maxi dress softens with every wear.
—Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026
That led to a revision in April that softens the rules’ impact — most obviously on refiners who have been threatening to leave California — but environmental groups are very critical.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
And in between it all, there are spaces like Stem and Vine, where the energy softens.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 May 2026
All four were shot in Jakarta, and none of them softens its subject matter.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2026
The scattering effect softens details and is simply unavoidable—there's no getting around the laws of physics.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 13 May 2026
As the light softens, continue to Westport, your base for the next two nights.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softens
Verb
-
As complexity rises, decisions fragment, priorities shift and trust weakens.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Excluding unhoused people from public spaces reinforces stigma and weakens the social bonds that support stability and recovery.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Seasoned party-planners say that striving to create meaningful interactions instead of for perfection alleviates some of the stress of hosting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Accessible, affordable childcare alleviates poverty, prevents homelessness, improves employer productivity and retention, increases the tax base, supports small businesses and keeps young families in our communities.—
Susan Ellenberg,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Petti Restaurant mitigates this by covering the containers in mud, creating a striking building that stays a little cooler in India's intense heat.—
Adam Williams
April 24,
New Atlas,
24 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Designed with plush ComfyFleece fabric and supportive memory foam, this dog bed gently cushions joints while the wraparound bolster sides create a secure, calming space for rest and relaxation.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
Thankfully, these kitchen mats offer ample support without compromising on style, as they’re made from dense memory foam that cushions your feet while reducing pressure on your back and joints.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
Sanchez has not been immune to errors, but his shot-stopping has been key to Chelsea and Liam Rosenior’s exit relieves some of the questions about his ability on the ball.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
The hope is that the device relieves enough pressure on the lungs and heart to give them some time to recover.—
Thomas Adamson,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
This helps create a barrier of warmer air that buffers the foliage against the cold.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This process enhances nutrient absorption and eases the strain on your digestive system.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
18 May 2026
-
The best thing policymakers can do is advance regulation that eases the burden of starting a new business.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softens. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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