as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking strength of will or character
softness is the one quality that the public will not tolerate in a leader
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Recent Examples of softness
True to its name, the lightweight styler enhances your natural texture while smoothing flyaways and boosting softness (no heat required).
—
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 June 2026
At first glance, Nevada’s labor market strength is surprising given softness in the state’s iconic gambling industry.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 19 June 2026
There’s also concern that Adidas is seeing broader softness in lifestyle sneaker demand.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 18 June 2026
For those intending to bring a touch of softness and polish to a room, this mohair pillow brings a tactile quality.
—Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 18 June 2026
But now, throughout the season, she is allowed to explore her softness, she’s allowed to, with Bea and with herself and with Ivanna, explore her real desires and vulnerability and softness in an honest way that transcends gender and what a woman is supposed to be.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 17 June 2026
For so long, femininity has been tied to long hair as beauty, softness, desirability, identity.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 17 June 2026
Both offer combat sports as a cure for modern-male softness.
—Maggie Turner, Air Mail, 13 June 2026
This lends itself well to layered, asymmetric hairstyles that bring softness and movement to the face.
—Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 12 June 2026
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 June 2026
At first glance, Nevada’s labor market strength is surprising given softness in the state’s iconic gambling industry.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 19 June 2026
There’s also concern that Adidas is seeing broader softness in lifestyle sneaker demand.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 18 June 2026
For those intending to bring a touch of softness and polish to a room, this mohair pillow brings a tactile quality.
—Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 18 June 2026
But now, throughout the season, she is allowed to explore her softness, she’s allowed to, with Bea and with herself and with Ivanna, explore her real desires and vulnerability and softness in an honest way that transcends gender and what a woman is supposed to be.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 17 June 2026
For so long, femininity has been tied to long hair as beauty, softness, desirability, identity.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 17 June 2026
Both offer combat sports as a cure for modern-male softness.
—Maggie Turner, Air Mail, 13 June 2026
This lends itself well to layered, asymmetric hairstyles that bring softness and movement to the face.
—Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softness
weakness
Noun
-
Common symptoms include headaches, fever, diarrhea, muscle weakness, tingling or numbness, neck stiffness or flu-like symptoms.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
Initial symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness, according to the CDC.—
Emily Vetter,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softness. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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