made or become less hard or severe, made or become gentler or more sympathetic

Formal and Informal Expressions of softened

In different contexts, you can replace 'softened' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'moderate, mitigate' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'take the edge off, lighten up' is a commonplace synonym.

softened: Explore its Definition & Usage

softened Definition

1made or become less hard or severe
2made or become gentler or more sympathetic

Using softened: Examples

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

Example
She softened her tone when she realized how upset he was.
Example
The butter needs to be softened before you can mix it with the sugar.
Example
His attitude towards her has softened since they started working together.

softened Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for softened

Antonyms for softened

Phrases with softened

soften the blow
to make bad news or a difficult situation easier to accept
Example
I tried to soften the blow by telling him that we could still be friends.
soften up
to become less strict or severe, or to make someone else do so
Example
He's been known to soften up when he sees how much effort people are putting in.
soften one's stance
to become less rigid or inflexible in one's position on an issue
Example
The politician softened his stance on immigration after hearing from his constituents.

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Summary: softened in Brief

The verb 'softened' [ˈsɒfənd] means to make or become less hard or severe, or to make or become gentler or more sympathetic. It is often used in relation to tone, attitude, or texture, as in 'She softened her tone when she realized how upset he was.' The phrase 'soften the blow' refers to making bad news or a difficult situation easier to accept, while 'soften up' means to become less strict or severe.