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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of softens
According to Charles Schwab, nearly 40% of individuals with $1 million-plus investible assets say travel will be their luxury spend, even as spending on traditional luxury goods softens.
—
Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2026
After chopping, let the tomatoes sit with the garlic and vinegar for at least 30 minutes, until everything softens.
—Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
Concrete and glass meet at sharp angles, while a curved courtyard wall softens the harshness.
—New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026
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, 11 Apr. 2026
The tortilla softens and blisters over the flames of white oak logs.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Its luminous, not-quite-pink, not-quite-brown finish softens the contrast between my contour and blush while adding the most stunning highlight to my cheekbones.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Your 7th House of Partnership softens as the Moon arrives, increasing the happiness in one-to-one bonds, platonic or not.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Now those gains are under threat, particularly in oil-importing countries where policymakers may be forced to tighten monetary policy even as growth softens.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2026
After chopping, let the tomatoes sit with the garlic and vinegar for at least 30 minutes, until everything softens.
—Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
Concrete and glass meet at sharp angles, while a curved courtyard wall softens the harshness.
—New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026
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, 11 Apr. 2026
The tortilla softens and blisters over the flames of white oak logs.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Its luminous, not-quite-pink, not-quite-brown finish softens the contrast between my contour and blush while adding the most stunning highlight to my cheekbones.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Your 7th House of Partnership softens as the Moon arrives, increasing the happiness in one-to-one bonds, platonic or not.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Now those gains are under threat, particularly in oil-importing countries where policymakers may be forced to tighten monetary policy even as growth softens.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softens
Verb
-
Even if the petrodollar weakens, dollar dominance still rests on other factors that other currencies can’t match, according to Paul Blustein, a scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
When asked to comment, Apple pointed to previous statements, saying that the DMA discourages innovation, weakens privacy protections, delays or degrades product launches and increases security risks.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Because Saatva mattresses have zoned lumbar support, those who sleep on their sides or who are combination sleepers find that the bed alleviates pressure on their body.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The Metra Track 4 project alleviates a bottleneck for the South Shore, reducing the need to wait for Metra trains to clear the tracks for South Shore Line trains to go through.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
This relieves lower back pressure and helps the spine settle into its natural curve.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
-
This reduces swelling and temporarily relieves congestion.—
Jessica Swirble,
Verywell Health,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This helps create a barrier of warmer air that buffers the foliage against the cold.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Dozens of patrons show up at Tsarouhas’ restaurant at all hours — particularly at the crack of dawn — to enjoy patsa as many say the soup eases the stomach after a night of heavy drinking.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
For him, the oxygen eases the pain.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softens. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
