had softened
- past perfect of soften.
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.
The heavy spring rain had softened the hill, but recent hot weather dried it out and made conditions firmer and more dangerous for competitors.
From BBC ● May 25, 2026
More than 15 years removed from the singer’s death in 2009, Jackson’s once-radioactive name had softened with time.
From Salon ● Apr. 25, 2026
The company has struggled in recent years as demand had softened for some of its core products, including Lunchables, Capri Sun, macaroni and cheese and mayonnaise.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 16, 2025
Although a paper published by a trio of researchers at Stanford University found evidence that employment for young Americans had softened in fields where the work could be more easily automated by AI.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2025
Rain had softened the road, liquid mud came squelching up between my toes as I walked.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
