soften

verb
UK: /ˈsɒf.ən/
US: /ˈsɑːf.ən/

  1. To become softer or less hard.

    1. The butter will soften if you leave it out.
    2. After a while, the music did soften, creating a romantic atmosphere.

  2. To make something softer or less intense.

    1. You can soften the light with a filter.
    2. The government is trying to soften the impact of the new tax.

  3. To make someone feel more friendly or less angry.

    1. A kind word can soften a person's anger.
    2. The apology did little to soften her feelings about the incident.

Synonyms

relax mollify temper appease alleviate mitigate
soften intransitive-verb

  1. To become less critical or strict.

    1. His stance on the issue began to soften over time.
    2. The manager's approach did soften once the team started winning games.

  2. To become more appealing or pleasant.

    1. The sunset will soften the harsh lines of the buildings.
    2. Rain can soften the dry earth, making it more suitable for planting.
soften transitive-verb

  1. To make something less hard, rough, or stiff.

    1. We need to soften this leather.
    2. You should soften the water before using it to wash your hair.

  2. To reduce the intensity, force, or impact of something.

    1. The government tried to soften the blow of the new regulations.
    2. The company needed to soften its image after the scandal.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "soften" in English means: To become softer or less hard., To make something softer or less intense., To make someone feel more friendly or less angry..

The phonetic transcription of "soften" is /ˈsɒf.ən/ in British English and /ˈsɑːf.ən/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "soften": relax, mollify, temper, appease, alleviate, mitigate.

Example usage of "soften": "The butter will soften if you leave it out.". More examples on the page.