soften

[ saw-fuhn, sof-uhn ]
/ ˈsɔ fən, ˈsɒf ən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR soften ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to make soft or softer.

verb (used without object)

to become soft or softer.

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Origin of soften

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at soft, -en1

OTHER WORDS FROM soften

o·ver·soft·en, verbre·sof·ten, verbun·soft·en·ing, adjective

Words nearby soften

softback, softball, softballer, softboard, softbound, soften, soften up, softener, softening of the brain, softhearted, softie
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to soften

mitigate, thaw, abate, relax, modify, ease, lessen, lower, melt, temper, relent, lighten, alleviate, dissolve, diminish, mellow, moderate, cushion, weaken, moisten

Example sentences from the Web for soften

British Dictionary definitions for soften

soften
/ (ˈsɒfən) /

verb

to make or become soft or softer
to make or become gentler
(intr) commerce
  1. (of demand, a market, etc) to weaken
  2. (of a price) to fall
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012