as in emollient
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Dissimilar Words
as in mellowing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in weakening
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 alleviating
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 softening
Lela London, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
In offices increasingly focused on leadership presence and executive confidence, that constant softening can quietly undermine how women are perceived.
—Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026
According to a market analysis from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), supply chain adjustments and elevated shipping uncertainty kept time-sensitive freight demand steady despite the sequential softening of global trade indicators.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 28 May 2026
Recent reporting has highlighted a softening in demand for destinations in eastern Europe closer to areas of geopolitical tension, with Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece spotlighted due to their comparative proximity to countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
—Sarah Allard, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
Van Dyk at times shows his hand as the script reveals the gradual softening of the Khachaturians toward their guest.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Lithgow’s performance suggests without any softening of tone or characterization that Dahl’s deep well of feeling for the suffering of children is the source of his harsh condemnation of Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
But a softening of views on Cuba has not materialized despite that demographic transition.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Some recipes call for soaking bran in boiling or hot water to speed the grain’s softening, but liquid at any temperature works as well.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
Combined with higher interest rates on pause (and the potential for them to be hiked higher later this year), softening wages and household debt at a record high, this week's news underscores the importance of storing your money in safe and profitable places.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Barrel aging introduces vanilla, baking spice, and oak while softening the spirit's brighter botanical edges.
—Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Hilton cut his teeth in his native UK working in Conservative Party politics, where he was credited with softening the party’s image on issues like the environment.
—Haley Parsley
june 12, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
Lowering your pace and softening your voice keeps the conversation from spiraling.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 11 June 2026
Adding a small amount of baking soda during soaking or cooking may help reduce gas by breaking down some of these compounds and softening the beans.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 8 June 2026
For Black musicians, this often means softening hard or sharp edges with safe, major-key chords.
—Ahmir “questlove” Thompson, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026
Key differences include softening cuts to capacity at the Newton Street shelter, which would be funded by a complete closure of the Lighthouse interim shelter and a $400,000 cut to a family reunification program.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Noun
Its softening of formality, without losing out on service or gastronomy.
—Lela London, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
In offices increasingly focused on leadership presence and executive confidence, that constant softening can quietly undermine how women are perceived.
—Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026
According to a market analysis from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), supply chain adjustments and elevated shipping uncertainty kept time-sensitive freight demand steady despite the sequential softening of global trade indicators.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 28 May 2026
Recent reporting has highlighted a softening in demand for destinations in eastern Europe closer to areas of geopolitical tension, with Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece spotlighted due to their comparative proximity to countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
—Sarah Allard, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
Van Dyk at times shows his hand as the script reveals the gradual softening of the Khachaturians toward their guest.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Lithgow’s performance suggests without any softening of tone or characterization that Dahl’s deep well of feeling for the suffering of children is the source of his harsh condemnation of Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
But a softening of views on Cuba has not materialized despite that demographic transition.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Some recipes call for soaking bran in boiling or hot water to speed the grain’s softening, but liquid at any temperature works as well.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
To descend the stairs into Marcel, the new French-continental restaurant on the lower level of the Breuer building, on Madison Avenue, is to watch a brutalist masterpiece surrender, with a kind of gracious compliance, to the softening influence of a great deal of money.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
Combined with higher interest rates on pause (and the potential for them to be hiked higher later this year), softening wages and household debt at a record high, this week's news underscores the importance of storing your money in safe and profitable places.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Barrel aging introduces vanilla, baking spice, and oak while softening the spirit's brighter botanical edges.
—Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Hilton cut his teeth in his native UK working in Conservative Party politics, where he was credited with softening the party’s image on issues like the environment.
—Haley Parsley
june 12, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
Lowering your pace and softening your voice keeps the conversation from spiraling.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 11 June 2026
Adding a small amount of baking soda during soaking or cooking may help reduce gas by breaking down some of these compounds and softening the beans.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 8 June 2026
For Black musicians, this often means softening hard or sharp edges with safe, major-key chords.
—Ahmir “questlove” Thompson, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026
Key differences include softening cuts to capacity at the Newton Street shelter, which would be funded by a complete closure of the Lighthouse interim shelter and a $400,000 cut to a family reunification program.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softening
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, emollient vitamin E and softening jojoba seed oil condition your natural nails, leaving them (and the skin around them) feeling softer and more hydrated.—
Sarah Felbin,
Allure,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Barrier cream launches this time of year are plentiful, but there’s one that’s really worth your attention: Bubble’s Soft Swerve Barrier Restore Balm, an intensely emollient moisturizer that coats your skin in a nourishing formula that rewards you with a soft, supple complexion over night.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Knobel uses Tennessee charcoal mellowing and hand‑toasted barrels to refine classic comfort flavors of Tennessee whiskey.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
Sometimes girls have a way of mellowing guys out.—
Stephen King,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Yet the extremist group has mobilized its members and media outlets to ramp up criticism of the agreement, heaping pressure on Iranian negotiators who have been attempting to extract concessions from a US administration intent on weakening – and possibly ending – the Islamic Republic.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
After reaching record levels in the 1990s and 2000s, deforestation declined until the 2019-2022 term of then President Jair Bolsonaro, whose government was widely criticized for weakening environmental protections.—
Gabriela Sa Pessoa,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The free meals program, costing about 268 trillion rupiah ($15 billion) for this year alone, is aimed at alleviating poverty and malnutrition but Prabowo recently fired the head of the program amid a massive graft probe.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
-
Those who have worked on the issue say immigration policy can play a crucial role in alleviating the lack of physicians if the White House or Congress chooses to take positive steps.—
Stuart Anderson,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Even the most lenient parents often set boundaries on what their children watch.—
Parents,
Parents,
16 June 2026
-
Several popular live sellers, who spoke to The Athletic under the condition of anonymity to protect their relationship with Whatnot, believe the company has been too lenient when regulating sellers for rules violations on the platform.—
Benjamin Burrows,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
But in the garden, too much nitrogen causes tomato plants to prioritize rapid leaf growth over flowering.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
-
In contrast, determinate tomato varieties are bushy plants with short flowering and fruiting seasons, often lasting just a few weeks.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
In either case, being proactive — whether by making home improvements or mitigating the risk of home damage — can make a difference.—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
-
The guidance also looks to guard against viral rumors by mitigating the flow of incorrect information.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
That painful night in Dallas now feels merciful, compared with what this Avs team just experienced.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
27 May 2026
-
As the sun began to peek over the hillside, offering a merciful burst of warmth, Alonso Abugattas called this year’s Trillium Trek to order.—
Ashley Stimpson,
Washington Post,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softening. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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