softened; softening
ˈsȯ-fə-niŋ 
ˈsȯf-niŋ
1
: to make soft or softer
2
a
: to weaken the military resistance or the morale of especially by harassment (such as preliminary bombardment)
—often used with up
b
: to impair the strength or resistance of
—often used with up
soften up a sales prospect
: to become soft or softer
her face softened
Examples of soften in a Sentence
The butter will soften if left on the counter overnight.
The recipe called for one stick of butter, softened.
The oil is used to soften and preserve the leather.
The lotion softens dry skin.
The company has softened its stance on dating in the workplace.
Her face softened when he entered the room.
His criticism of the president has softened in the past year.
The grass softened my fall.
Recent Examples on the Web
Before dawn, the Moon forms a harmonious trine with Neptune, giving our imagination the strength to soften our worries.
—
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2026
But the manager softened his stance a bit Sunday.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
Fiber also softens the stool, which helps digestive regularity, according to the experts at Harvard Health Publishing.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
Every minute an infrastructure project waits — due to red tape, political wrangling, indecision, prolonged negotiations, burdensome rules, lack of funding and too few hands to move it forward — the costs go up, support softens, champions go quiet and good projects die.
—Gia Biagi, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soften
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Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2026
But the manager softened his stance a bit Sunday.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
Fiber also softens the stool, which helps digestive regularity, according to the experts at Harvard Health Publishing.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
Every minute an infrastructure project waits — due to red tape, political wrangling, indecision, prolonged negotiations, burdensome rules, lack of funding and too few hands to move it forward — the costs go up, support softens, champions go quiet and good projects die.
—Gia Biagi, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soften
Cite this Entry
“Soften.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soften. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
soften
verb
soft·en
ˈsȯ-fən
softened; softening
ˈsȯf-(ə-)niŋ
1
: to make or become soft or softer
2
: to lessen the strength of
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