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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of soften
Then, like Doja Cat, Tems’s sharp angled brows meant business, softened by a single Hollywood curl (also seen on Kelly Rowland) plastered on her forehead.
—
India Espy-Jones, Essence, 4 Mar. 2025
Bake in preheated until tomatoes have blistered and cheese has softened, 25 to 30 minutes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025
Market uncertainty may bring down natural interest rates further, leading to softening prices in the months ahead.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
After two weeks of verbal attacks, President Trump softened his tone on Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of a key meeting between the leaders Friday.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soften
India Espy-Jones, Essence, 4 Mar. 2025
Bake in preheated until tomatoes have blistered and cheese has softened, 25 to 30 minutes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025
Market uncertainty may bring down natural interest rates further, leading to softening prices in the months ahead.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
After two weeks of verbal attacks, President Trump softened his tone on Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of a key meeting between the leaders Friday.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soften
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soften
Verb
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In the fourth quarter of 2024, WK Kellogg reported net sales of $640 million, a decrease of 1.7% compared to $651 million in the same period in 2023, impacted by a 5.6% volume decline and a 40 basis point headwind from the weakening Canadian dollar.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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But the Trump administration's new cuts further weaken a banking watchdog that has been sounding the alarm for years about its decreasing ability to prevent future banking crises.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But measures that are imposed too quickly or by shaky institutions could lead to outcomes that lack fairness, transparency, and legitimacy and may ultimately deepen, rather than alleviate, social divisions and mistrust in the state.—
PATRICK VINCK,
Foreign Affairs,
4 Mar. 2025
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My skin drinks this stuff up, and has alleviated many of my complexion woes—think: uneven skin tone, loss of firmness, and excess oil production—with consistent use.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This differentiation aims to mitigate potential disruptions in the energy sector while addressing broader trade concerns.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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By embracing this demographic, organizations can access a flexible, engaged workforce that not only mitigates talent shortages but also enhances team cohesion and strategic decision-making.—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Epps then addressed Sharpe directly, slightly tempering his comments while requesting that the former gridiron star present a more diverse array of talent on his podcast.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
5 Mar. 2025
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By doing so, the writer tempers the revolutionary message, suggesting that while the oppressed could and should recognize their chains, liberation may still come from an external force.—
Christin Bohnke,
JSTOR Daily,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And the ingestion of baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, a legal technique that helps buffer acidity and neutralize interference with muscle contractions, is also widely used for short, intense races like the mile.—
Jeré Longman,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
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Episode 232: Elon Musk, Welfare Queen—the Dirty Truth Plus: Lesley M. M. Blume on John Hersey; Nathan King and Mark Seal on The Godfather; and more % buffered 00:00 Sign Up for Air Mail An entertaining, but also serious weekend edition, delivered every Saturday morning at six o’clock.—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Sure, their global dominance and new Blackwell line will cushion the blow, but the real question will be how China responds.—
Kristina Partsinevelos,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
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That’s because the squishy midsole that cushions each footfall flattens with time, offloading the brunt of the impact onto your feet.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
21 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to soften
Cite this Entry
“Soften.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soften. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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