as in weak
lacking bodily strength
the athlete, softened by the long period of convalescence, had to begin his training program almost from scratch
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in weakened
to diminish the physical strength of
three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tempered
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
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Recent Examples of softened
Mary Claire Britton, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2025
Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Materials are interesting in that a low looks to have been established, while Capital Equipment has softened somewhat recently.
—Randy Watts, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
In pastel satin, the shoe softened the architecture while saturating the butter tone that has been trending on red carpets all month.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Home values in Los Angeles and Orange counties softened in the past year as economic challenges outweighed fears that January’s wildfire destruction could propel prices even higher.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
For all the hours in the gym, the sweat poured into practice and the sessions with his psychologist, the scores never softened.
—Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Tailored from a wool mélange fabric in a double-breasted stance, it’s softened by an unpadded shoulder and open patch pockets, lest anyone accuse you of gunning for the corner office.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025
The sheer scale of Hosoda’s success may have softened his storytelling instincts, even if the aesthetics are occasionally remarkable.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
Contemporary forms and sleek materials are softened with touches of warmth, organic textures, and colorful accents for interiors that feel modern but never cold.
—Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Grease a 1 1/2 quart baking dish with softened butter.
—Mary Claire Britton, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
What’s more, a lot of Americans still have mortgage rates that are low enough to make the idea of a move daunting, and affordability overall hasn’t improved much even as the economy has softened.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Materials are interesting in that a low looks to have been established, while Capital Equipment has softened somewhat recently.
—Randy Watts, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
In pastel satin, the shoe softened the architecture while saturating the butter tone that has been trending on red carpets all month.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Home values in Los Angeles and Orange counties softened in the past year as economic challenges outweighed fears that January’s wildfire destruction could propel prices even higher.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
For all the hours in the gym, the sweat poured into practice and the sessions with his psychologist, the scores never softened.
—Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Tailored from a wool mélange fabric in a double-breasted stance, it’s softened by an unpadded shoulder and open patch pockets, lest anyone accuse you of gunning for the corner office.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025
The sheer scale of Hosoda’s success may have softened his storytelling instincts, even if the aesthetics are occasionally remarkable.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
Contemporary forms and sleek materials are softened with touches of warmth, organic textures, and colorful accents for interiors that feel modern but never cold.
—Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softened
Adjective
-
The ultrarich formula uses amino acids to reinforce weak strands, glycerin to hydrate and soften, silicones to smooth the cuticle, and coconut oil to add more moisture and shine.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
China’s economy showed further signs of weakness last month, with key data Monday revealing factory output and consumption rising at their weakest pace for around a year.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Childhood illnesses had severely weakened her own heart.—
Ruchi Kumar,
NPR,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Since then, the legal safeguards against such encounters have weakened.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Brad Ingelsby’s follow-up to the much-beloved Mare of Easttown switches focus from steely women to feeble men.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The feeble report all but confirms a Fed interest rate cut later this month and raises at least the possibility of a half point – rather than a typical quarter point - reduction, Saunders said.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His departure alleviated what was a very crowded running back corps in Washington.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
-
That concern was alleviated on the first snap.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Athletique There is something edgy yet soft about a funnel-neck in a technical fabric—lean in and pair a wind- and water-resistant shell with trousers and sneakers for a touch of sport, or style it with a pencil skirt and kitten heels for a more feminine feel.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Swift wore Elson 4, the brand’s best-selling blue-red, but the bullet-proof formula comes in 12 beautiful hues ranging from a soft beige peach (Nude Cabaret) to a deep bronzed rose (Flesh 3).—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If these days bring rising prices, the September weakness tends to be mitigated.—
Bill Sarubbi,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The losses were mitigated, somewhat, by the billions of dollars in dividends Berkshire collected over the years.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Two women – his mom Elsie Lucero who cared tirelessly for his late-brother Eddie, who was physically and mentally disabled, and his late sister Margie who died of cancer in 2018 and adored her daughter Sarah who has Angelman Syndrome, an extreme form of Down Syndrome.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Access to Work helps employers hire disabled people 100% of employers said their disabled staff would struggle to do their jobs without it.—
Nancy Doyle,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Arch Fit sole provides support, and the heel pillow in the back keeps your foot cushioned.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
-
This is a dramatic shift resulting from a substantial drop in living standards over the last few years, a drop that was not cushioned by the nation’s vast lithium reserves.—
Daniel Markind,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softened. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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