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
The famous voice occasionally softens into a murmur.
—
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026
The chart has improved, ETF inflows have returned, and the macro backdrop is starting to accommodate as the dollar softens and markets respond to easing geopolitical stress.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 6 May 2026
As if the acquisitions of veterans Hollywood Brown and Dontayvion Wicks didn’t signal EVP/GM Howie Roseman’s intent to move on from Brown – likely next month, when the salary cap softens the team’s contractual hit – then certainly the trade up for Makai Lemon in Round 1 of the draft did.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Humor softens the various blows that Benj is subjected to without undermining their impact.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
The rings arise because the metal softens as the can compresses, then stiffens, then compresses and stiffens again, repeating the pattern until the compression is complete—akin to something called homoclinic snaking.
—ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026
Even relational risk softens, because the connection with an audience no longer lives inside a single platform’s interface.
—Stephanie Hind, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
Even skepticism often softens into curiosity, suggesting high conversion potential.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 May 2026
But the chair is what softens the scene and welcomes the viewer to sit.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2026
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026
The chart has improved, ETF inflows have returned, and the macro backdrop is starting to accommodate as the dollar softens and markets respond to easing geopolitical stress.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 6 May 2026
As if the acquisitions of veterans Hollywood Brown and Dontayvion Wicks didn’t signal EVP/GM Howie Roseman’s intent to move on from Brown – likely next month, when the salary cap softens the team’s contractual hit – then certainly the trade up for Makai Lemon in Round 1 of the draft did.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Humor softens the various blows that Benj is subjected to without undermining their impact.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
The rings arise because the metal softens as the can compresses, then stiffens, then compresses and stiffens again, repeating the pattern until the compression is complete—akin to something called homoclinic snaking.
—ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026
Even relational risk softens, because the connection with an audience no longer lives inside a single platform’s interface.
—Stephanie Hind, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
Even skepticism often softens into curiosity, suggesting high conversion potential.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 May 2026
But the chair is what softens the scene and welcomes the viewer to sit.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softens
Verb
-
That inconsistency weakens the institution, erodes public trust, and leaves voters increasingly frustrated with both parties.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
The anti-diversity law weakens community expression.—
Jon Harris Maurer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 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
-
Shoppers are raving about this $7 kneeling pad that cushions aging knees against hard, damp, and dirty ground.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The comfy gel pad cushions your joints, and provides gentle compression to reduce pain and swelling.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This measure also relieves pressure on the broader state budget by leaving more funds available for priorities like Medicaid, behavioral health, infrastructure, and public safety.—
Kevin Vick,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The programming is designed for all fitness levels and also relieves tension, reduces stress and supports hormonal and metabolic health.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
20 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
-
Once the performers appear, slinking in from the sides of the stage, the show firmly takes shape and eases smoothly from one episode from the Gospels to the next.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
Steam thins mucus and eases congestion, per the same PMC/NIH trial.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softens. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
