soften
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to make or become soft or softer
-
to make or become gentler
-
(intr) commerce
-
(of demand, a market, etc) to weaken
-
(of a price) to fall
-
Other Word Forms
- oversoften verb
- resoften verb
- unsoftening adjective
Etymology
Origin 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.
While job growth has slowed and hiring has softened, layoffs remain limited and the unemployment rate has hovered around 4.4%.
From Barron's
Rachel Reeves confirmed an announcement to soften the effect of looming rate rises on pubs was coming in the next few days or weeks.
From BBC
“While labor markets have softened, conditions do not appear to be worsening,” he says.
These latter two trading counterparts, it should be noted, have seen their currencies soften, however, a trend that has reduced imports.
From MarketWatch
These latter two trading counterparts, it should be noted, have seen their currencies soften, however, a trend that has reduced imports.
From MarketWatch
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.
