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Definitions

soften

[saw-fuhn, sof-uhn] / ˈsɔ fən, ˈsɒf ən /
VERB
calm, soothe
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abate alleviate cushion diminish dissolve ease lessen lighten lower mellow melt mitigate moderate modify relax relent temper thaw tone down weaken
STRONG
allay appease assuage bend disintegrate enfeeble give knead mash moisten mollify palliate qualify quell still subdue tenderize yield
WEAK
become tender turn down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aggravate agitate coagulate compliment excite heighten incite increase intensify irritate magnify rise solidify strengthen upset worsen
STRONG
disturb provoke
WEAK
trouble

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.

What feels clearer is the obligation not to soften what is happening, not to translate it into something more comfortable than it is.

From Slate • May 8, 2026

This was the same line of argument she’d taken a million times at Fox News, and she just couldn’t soften it for NBC.

From Slate • May 6, 2026

During the reporting process, I noticed my pessimism soften a little.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Is it a spoiler to say he’ll soften by the end?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

Silly jokes were not going to soften me up.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas