1
as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of
three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to alleviate
to lessen the shock of
had tried to soften the blow of her rejection to his marriage proposal
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of soften
Add the onion, turn the heat down to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
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Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2024
Tobacco Toscano combines a citrus accord with rich tobacco softened by a base of vanilla.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2024
In terms of ingredients, this fragrance-free body treatment contains the works: retinol to tone and texture, peptides to boost skin elasticity, and hyaluronic acid to soften and hydrate dry skin.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024
Cruz has sought to soften his hard-right image by appealing to Democrats concerned about border security and by aligning himself closely with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
—USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for soften 
Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2024
Tobacco Toscano combines a citrus accord with rich tobacco softened by a base of vanilla.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2024
In terms of ingredients, this fragrance-free body treatment contains the works: retinol to tone and texture, peptides to boost skin elasticity, and hyaluronic acid to soften and hydrate dry skin.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024
Cruz has sought to soften his hard-right image by appealing to Democrats concerned about border security and by aligning himself closely with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
—USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for soften
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soften
Verb
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Such a test would be a sign of China’s weakening influence over Pyongyang and could spur Seoul to try to acquire nuclear weapons of its own—a position that both South Korea and the United States officially oppose but is gaining traction in Western policy circles.Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
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With its climate leadership perceived to be weakening, New Zealand may get a cooler reception at COP than in previous years, especially from Pacific Island nations, Cooper said.Mahalia Dobson, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Research shows that yoga, for example, can help alleviate some of the tough emotions that come with PMS.Julia Ries, SELF, 4 Nov. 2024
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Its softer side is heavy on body contouring to help alleviate pressure buildup along the shoulders and hips for side sleepers.Ashley Zlatopolsky, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Investments in health and education can mitigate the impact of population aging.Vegard Skirbekk, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024
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Proactively address concerns and, if warranted, include them in the process of mitigating the issues.Cory McNeley, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Whisking constantly, slowly add 1 cup of the hot broth to the egg mixture to temper.Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 6 Nov. 2024
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A bit of warm spice tempered with a twist of freshness and medium tannins make this a great choice for roasted turkey with all of the fixings.Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Bespoke training and learning opportunities to help managers build these skills would buffer them from additional stress and set them up for managing efficiently and bringing hybrid teams together.Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
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The brand pairs it with hyaluronic acid (for hydration and immediate plumping) and niacinamide (to brighten and soothe); the latter also buffers the potential irritation and redness associated with retinoids.Deanna Pai, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2024
Verb
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In late October, the company raised $25 Billion in new credit and debt arrangements to cushion the cash crunch that will continue for at least a year.Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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But instead of the dry, flaky mattes of our youth, these go on buttery soft and manage to cushion lips in peptides, hyaluronic acid, and botanical extracts for a hydrated, plump pout.Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Soften.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soften. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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