soften

[ saw-fuhn, sof-uhn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make soft or softer.

   Synonyms: ease, quiet, calm, alleviate, soothe, mitigate, mollify, melt

   Antonyms: harden

verb (used without object)

1. to become soft or softer.

   Antonyms: harden

soften

/ ˈsɒfən /

verb

1. to make or become soft or softer
2. to make or become gentler
3. intr commerce
   1. (of demand, a market, etc) to weaken
   2. (of a price) to fall

Other Words From

• over·soften verb
• re·soften verb
• un·soften·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of soften¹

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; soft, -en ¹

Example Sentences

In a bid to soften the impact of the cuts, the government launched a campaign to encourage eligible pensioners to apply for pension credit.

From BBC

But the Treasury has rejected proposals that would soften the impact.

From BBC

The officer seemed to soften, but with a catch.

From BBC

But he realizes that he can only do so much to soften the blows of this hard world.

From Los Angeles Times

A bid by the department for rural affairs to soften changes to inheritance tax for farms - possibly by exempting some older farmers - has been rejected by the Treasury.

From BBC

Related Words

• abate
• alleviate
• cushion
• diminish
• dissolve
• ease
• lessen
• lighten
• lower
• mellow
• melt
• mitigate
• moderate
• modify
• relax
• relent
• temper
• thaw
• tone down
• weaken