soften

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The hurt and humiliation behind Hally’s eyes allow us to adopt Sam’s sympathetic attitude toward the boy, even as Beatty refuses to soften the character’s wrathful entitlement.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

These included suspending duties on all imports with the exception of those from Russia and Belarus and adjusting the carbon border tax to soften its impact, she said.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Banks may build provisions before improving later, while consumer demand could soften, they say, and prefer more defensive names for now.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The International Energy Agency is currently assessing whether tapping reserves of oil further is needed to soften the blow from spiking prices.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

The ivy which used to soften the effect of that bright red facade had been stripped away, perhaps to preserve the brickwork.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan