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:
That kind of thought will soften your edges.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
Studies show that when you put all three together, he noted, the extremes tend to soften.
From Slate ● Aug. 26, 2026
This is not the first time lawmakers have tried to soften the rule.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
He gives her novels to soften the blow, as she loves to read.
From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026
Portia spoke in a low voice, and she neither paused between words nor did the grief in her face soften.
From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers
Muenster is less assertive but more accommodating: its mild butteriness stands beside the sauce without competing, and it softens agreeably in summer warmth without becoming stringy or oily.
From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2026
Buying equity stakes rather than owning depreciating fleets softens that, but the line between “demand layer” and “co-investor in hardware” thins with each deal.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 24, 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
“No other region relies as heavily on international visitation, so when global travel softens, L.A. feels it first and most acutely.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 25, 2026
Then he glances at Ayesha, and his face softens.
From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed
As consumer demand softened, the industry tried to right itself again, and by late 2025 and early 2026, it seemed that the end of the slump was finally in sight.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026
And though Fred had wanted his son to pursue an education, he softened his stance, supporting Freddie’s dream.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
Rather than fully melting the metals, both methods softened them enough to form and deposit the cemented carbide.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026
Consumer confidence declined in July as consumers’ assessment of current business and labor-market conditions softened for a third straight month, a monthly survey from The Conference Board said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
His eyes moved to Gum Baby and softened, then to Thandiwe and High John, where they lingered.
From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia
She did this countless times across her decades of unwavering support for the queer community, softening and sharpening her humor according to the severity of whatever topic she waded into.
From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2026
Indeed, according to well-placed sources there has been a slight softening of Alvarez's stance in recent days, although not enough yet to get anyone at Arsenal excited.
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
July government retail-sales data showed a softening overall, though some of that softness was likely caused by one-time events like the switch of Amazon.com and other retailer’s summer online-sales events to June.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
Since the pandemic recovery, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates ages 22 to 27 has been elevated compared with the rate overall, pointing to softening demand for educated entry-level workers.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
“No,” Tsukiko says with a polite shake of her head, her smile softening the harshness of the word.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
