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 leather softens beautifully with each wear, and the slim silhouette styles well with virtually everything—cropped trousers, slip skirts, even relaxed denim.
—
Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026
If mixture softens after chilling, re-beat the mixture with an electric mixer or a wire whisk before serving.
—Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026
Some retinol products tend to dry out the skin, but instead, this LilyAna option softens and moisturizes.
—Genevieve Cepeda, InStyle, 5 June 2026
The Labor Department’s report Thursday showed that the four-week moving average of jobless claims, which softens some of the weekly volatility, rose by 6,500 to 214,750.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
This softens their structure and creates the perfect environment for mold to grow.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 1 June 2026
Due to its semi-transparency, the facade invites the shifting sky and the green hues of the surrounding forest canopy into the interior, creating an environment that softens the line between inside and out.
—Bridget Borgobello
may 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2026
Back in April, Bieber debuted a vanilla French glaze manicure thats softens the sharp contrast of a typical French mani.
—Charley Ross, Glamour, 28 May 2026
When Venus shifts into Leo on June 13, the energy softens into something more social and community-oriented.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026
If mixture softens after chilling, re-beat the mixture with an electric mixer or a wire whisk before serving.
—Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026
Some retinol products tend to dry out the skin, but instead, this LilyAna option softens and moisturizes.
—Genevieve Cepeda, InStyle, 5 June 2026
The Labor Department’s report Thursday showed that the four-week moving average of jobless claims, which softens some of the weekly volatility, rose by 6,500 to 214,750.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
This softens their structure and creates the perfect environment for mold to grow.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 1 June 2026
Due to its semi-transparency, the facade invites the shifting sky and the green hues of the surrounding forest canopy into the interior, creating an environment that softens the line between inside and out.
—Bridget Borgobello
may 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2026
Back in April, Bieber debuted a vanilla French glaze manicure thats softens the sharp contrast of a typical French mani.
—Charley Ross, Glamour, 28 May 2026
When Venus shifts into Leo on June 13, the energy softens into something more social and community-oriented.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softens
Verb
-
Breakage occurs when damage to the hair shaft weakens it, causing strands to snap off.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
8 June 2026
-
Technology was partly to blame for creating an environment which magnifies prejudices and weakens critical thinking, Leo said.—
Joshua McElwee,
USA Today,
6 June 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
-
Rebuilding the salt marshes increases the lagoon’s ability to capture carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas and driver of climate change, and mitigates the effects of rising sea levels.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The egg-crate foam promotes airflow and cushions pressure points, and the zip-off cover is machine-washable for quick refreshes.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
-
Best Outdoor Decor Deals Shop Memorial Day decor deals for every outdoor space, from extra-plush patio chair cushions to a stylish outdoor area rug that’s made with weather-resistant materials and safe to use in the rain.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The deep-tissue technique, using thumbs and knuckles, relieves these pain points.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
This helps create a barrier of warmer air that buffers the foliage against the cold.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Friday’s selloff eases those worries a bit.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
-
There is no explanation that eases the pain, no statement that can fully capture the grief so many in our community are experiencing.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softens. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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