soften

[ˈsɒfən]

soften Definition

• 1. make or become soft or softer
• 2. make someone less angry or hostile

Using soften: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "soften" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  She used a hair conditioner to soften her hair.

• Example

  The butter will soften if you leave it out of the fridge.

• Example

  He tried to soften the blow by offering her a job in another department.

• Example

  She hoped that his apology would soften her father's anger.

soften Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for soften

• loosen
• relax
• melt
• thaw
• pacify

Antonyms for soften

• harden
• toughen
• harden someone's heart

Phrases with soften

• soften up

  make someone or something more vulnerable or receptive

  Example

  The coach made them run laps to soften them up before the game.

• soften one's stance

  become less rigid or uncompromising in one's position

  Example

  After hearing the other side's argument, she softened her stance on the issue.

• soften the blow

  make bad news or a difficult situation easier to accept or deal with

  Example

  He tried to soften the blow by telling her gently that he was leaving.

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Summary: soften in Brief

The verb 'soften' [ˈsɒfən] means to make or become soft or less hard, as in 'The butter will soften if you leave it out of the fridge.' It can also mean to make someone less angry or hostile, such as 'She hoped that his apology would soften her father's anger.' The phrase 'soften up' means to make someone or something more vulnerable or receptive, while 'soften the blow' means to make bad news or a difficult situation easier to accept or deal with.