soften
Verb (Transitive):
- To make something soft or softer: To cause an object or substance to become less hard, firm, or rigid.
- To make something less severe, harsh, or intense: To reduce the strength, force, or unpleasantness of something.
- To make something less distinct or sharp: To reduce the contrast, focus, or intensity of a visual image or sound.
Verb (Intransitive):
- To become soft or softer: To undergo a process of becoming less hard or firm.
- To become less severe or intense: To diminish in force, harshness, or strength.
- To become more sympathetic or yielding: To become less resistant or more compassionate.
Transitive Verb:
- The fabric conditioner will soften the towels.
- She tried to soften the bad news with a kind smile.
- The photographer used a filter to soften the edges of the portrait.
Intransitive Verb:
- Butter will soften if you leave it on the counter.
- His anger began to soften after he heard her apology.
- Her expression softened when she saw the puppy.
"to soften the blow": To make bad news or a difficult situation less upsetting or shocking.
- He offered to help financially to soften the blow of the job loss.
"to soften one's stance/position": To become less rigid or severe in one's opinions or demands.
- The company softened its stance on remote work after employee feedback.
"to soften up" (often used in a strategic or manipulative context): To make someone more receptive or less resistant, often through persuasion or kindness.
- He brought her flowers to soften her up before asking for a favor.
Softener (n): A substance or agent that makes something soft.
- A water softener removes minerals from hard water.
Softening (n/adj): The process or act of becoming or making soft; having the quality of making soft.
- There has been a softening in the housing market. (n)
- This cream has a softening effect on the skin. (adj)
- Mollify: To appease someone's anger or anxiety.
- Temper: To moderate or mitigate the effects of something.
- Cushion: To mitigate the adverse effects of something.
- Mellow: To become more relaxed, gentle, or softened.
Soften up: To make something softer through a process; to make a person more amenable (as in advanced usage).
- Soak the beans overnight to soften them up before cooking.
Soften off (Horticulture): To gradually acclimate a plant grown indoors to outdoor conditions.
- Remember to soften off the seedlings for a week before planting them outside.
A softening economy: An economy that is slowing down or becoming less vigorous.
- The government introduced measures to stimulate a softening economy.
Softening of the brain (Archaic/Medical): A dated term for a decline in mental faculties.
- The old medical text described dementia as a softening of the brain.
- become soft or softer
- The bread will soften if you pour some liquid on it
- make soft or softer
- This liquid will soften your laundry
- make less severe or harsh
- He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears
- protect from impact
- cushion the blow
- give in, as to influence or pressure
- lessen in force or effect
- soften a shock
- break a fall
- make (images or sounds) soft or softer