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
Gently simmer until the garlic softens, about 20 minutes.
—
Malaka Gharib, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
The fabric is washing machine safe and softens with age.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Cooking, in contrast, softens the flesh, improves flavor and reduces microbial risk.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
His conversation is astringent; his mordant wit softens into easy laughter.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Revenge softens some of Baron Frankenstein’s colder mannerisms into a more playful performance from Cushing; after escaping the gallows, the Baron hides his true identity and takes work at a hospital for the poor to access a supply of body parts.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
Over the long simmer, all of that softens and flavors the chili.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
The hummingbirds are one of the few subjects that, briefly, softens him.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
Chamomile softens the flame, vanilla sweetens the smoke, and the result is all loving, never strange… a total trance.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
Malaka Gharib, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
The fabric is washing machine safe and softens with age.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Cooking, in contrast, softens the flesh, improves flavor and reduces microbial risk.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
His conversation is astringent; his mordant wit softens into easy laughter.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Revenge softens some of Baron Frankenstein’s colder mannerisms into a more playful performance from Cushing; after escaping the gallows, the Baron hides his true identity and takes work at a hospital for the poor to access a supply of body parts.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
Over the long simmer, all of that softens and flavors the chili.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
The hummingbirds are one of the few subjects that, briefly, softens him.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
Chamomile softens the flame, vanilla sweetens the smoke, and the result is all loving, never strange… a total trance.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softens
Verb
-
The rising intolerance that results erodes social cohesion, undermines support for democratic norms and weakens trust in institutions.—
Andrew Rojecki,
The Conversation,
21 Oct. 2025
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Blocking them causes disruption to the cells’ energy-generating mitochondria and leads to oxidative stress, which further weakens cancer.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gaming laptops, especially those with larger screens, tend to be bulky, but the Slim alleviates some of that.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
8 Sep. 2025
-
There are occasional flashbacks to his childhood, as well as moments out-of-time, where Kafka finds himself in the modern-day Czech republic, but none of this alleviates the pacing doldrums of a conventional biopic.—
Sam Bodrojan,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While individual efforts are important, collective action increases impact and mitigates the risks of reprisals for standing up to individuals or organizations.—
Shelley Inglis,
The Conversation,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Mohan emphasized that early action mitigates risk and positions brands for compliance, which is increasingly non-negotiable.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If hosting partly in the living room, place cushions around the coffee table for easy dipping—or a game night following the food.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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That thick sole relieves pressure and pain, especially pain associated with conditions like plantar fasciitis.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Oct. 2025
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This deep tissue massage relieves tension in my head, neck, and shoulders without any effort.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to local belief, sending a lantern upward helps cleanse a person’s spirit and eases their misfortunes, clearing the path for good luck in the coming year.—
Sarah Buder,
AFAR Media,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The good news is there's horror fare to fit those tastes that avoids tired tropes, is more thoughtful than creepy, and eases a new generation of fans into a beloved genre without causing psychological damage or necessitating a night light.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softens. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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