softened; softening
ˈsȯ-fə-niŋ 
ˈsȯf-niŋ
1
: to make soft or softer
2
a
: to weaken the military resistance or the morale of especially by harassment (such as preliminary bombardment)
—often used with up
b
: to impair the strength or resistance of
—often used with up
soften up a sales prospect
: to become soft or softer
her face softened
Examples of soften in a Sentence
The butter will soften if left on the counter overnight.
The recipe called for one stick of butter, softened.
The oil is used to soften and preserve the leather.
The lotion softens dry skin.
The company has softened its stance on dating in the workplace.
Her face softened when he entered the room.
His criticism of the president has softened in the past year.
The grass softened my fall.
Recent Examples on the Web
As if the acquisitions of veterans Hollywood Brown and Dontayvion Wicks didn’t signal EVP/GM Howie Roseman’s intent to move on from Brown – likely next month, when the salary cap softens the team’s contractual hit – then certainly the trade up for Makai Lemon in Round 1 of the draft did.
—
Jim Reineking, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Humor softens the various blows that Benj is subjected to without undermining their impact.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
Despite the results, the stock dropped after the report as investors became spooked by signs of a softening property insurance market.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 4 May 2026
Tyrrell added that Atlantic City's reliance on regional visitors may help soften the long-term impact.
—Eva Andersen, CBS News, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for soften
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Jim Reineking, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Humor softens the various blows that Benj is subjected to without undermining their impact.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
Despite the results, the stock dropped after the report as investors became spooked by signs of a softening property insurance market.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 4 May 2026
Tyrrell added that Atlantic City's reliance on regional visitors may help soften the long-term impact.
—Eva Andersen, CBS News, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for soften
Cite this Entry
“Soften.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soften. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
soften
verb
soft·en
ˈsȯ-fən
softened; softening
ˈsȯf-(ə-)niŋ
1
: to make or become soft or softer
2
: to lessen the strength of
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