soften
Americanverb (used with object)
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softens,
present (3rd person singular)
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softened,
past participle, past
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softening
present participle
verb (used without object)
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softens,
present (3rd person singular)
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softened,
past participle, past
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softening
present participle
verb
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to make or become soft or softer
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to make or become gentler
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(intr) commerce
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(of demand, a market, etc) to weaken
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(of a price) to fall
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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softensimple
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softenssimple
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have softenedperfect
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has softenedperfect
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am softeningprogressive
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are softeningprogressive
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is softeningprogressive
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have been softeningperfect progressive
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has been softeningperfect progressive
Past
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softenedsimple
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had softenedperfect
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was softeningprogressive
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were softeningprogressive
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had been softeningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of soften
Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at soft, -en 1
Explanation
To soften is to make something soft, or to become soft. A stick of butter will soften after sitting on the counter for an hour—or you can soften it by squishing it with a wooden spoon. You can literally soften things, the way a sculptor softens clay or you soften the skin on your hands with lotion. Turning down the sound is another way to soften something: "I'll soften the radio so it doesn't keep you awake." When you make something gentler or less severe, you also soften it, like when a lawmaker tries to soften the effect of a law by proposing a tax cut in return.
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.
See Examples For:
But he began to soften on the mayor after the June primary election.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
Adhwaryu says artists may soften captions, avoid certain subjects or think twice before submitting a cartoon.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
Bombardier plans to invest $270 million to expand its American infrastructure footprint and hire 800 U.S. workers, days after President Trump seemed to soften his rhetoric against the Montreal-based business-jet maker.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
There are a few tax-saving strategies you can employ whether you have a high income or are planning early retirement, often as part of year-end tax planning, to soften the impact of the widow’s penalty:
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
Ethan’s face relaxes, his eyes soften, like he has lost his mad-dog bead of concentration.
From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson
She also noted that as the diamond sector softens, shoppers have become more interested in colored gems.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
Affluent Americans are drawn to Florida for its favorable tax environment, warm weather and waterfront lifestyle, keeping demand for luxury homes strong even as the broader housing market softens.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
The bread itself naturally softens and rounds everything out, so you don’t need an alarming amount to make it feel indulgent.
From Salon ● May 25, 2026
The additives lower the temperature at which the glass softens and make it flow more easily when heated, which could simplify manufacturing.
From Science Daily ● May 22, 2026
Her face softens with a kindness that enhances her beauty.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
The General Social Survey, a survey of public opinion, finds that after about 1994, Americans’ preference for harsher courts softened.
From Slate ● Oct. 26, 2026
Demand in traditional luxury strongholds like China and the Middle East has softened.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
He softened the usually harsh light by using a camera converted to infrared.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
But the immediate impact of the sanctions was softened by a series of exemptions that offer a de facto six-month grace period.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
Van Helsing started angrily at the first sound, but his face softened and a glad look came into his eyes as I cried out: “Quincey Morris!” and rushed towards him with outstretched hands.
From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
While we were swooning over “WandaVision” back in 2021, we couldn’t have known Marvel was softening us up for the AI revolution.
From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2026
Cardholder spending in September tracked by Royal Bank of Canada, the country’s largest lender, showed that customers were still shopping but the pace of growth is softening.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
For investors who wish to stay invested while softening the effect of a possible market correction, the lower-volatility approach has been gaining in popularity.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026
Technology deals made up nearly half of all third-quarter equity capital market deals, leaving the market vulnerable to a softening in AI enthusiasm.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
He was only vaguely aware of the leaves and branches twisting around him, softening and widening to let him lie back.
From "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
