soften
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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
- 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.
There is keen interest in whether he might soften this stance, or double down.
From Barron's
For much of last year, the Fed’s debate centered on whether the labor market was softening and whether precautionary cuts were needed to prevent a sharper slowdown.
From Barron's
For much of last year, the Fed’s debate centered on whether the labor market was softening and whether precautionary cuts were needed to prevent a sharper slowdown.
From Barron's
She has since made frequent appearances on on state media, softening her father's image of a ruthless dictator.
From BBC
The grass grew green and thick now, and the ground softened with every tread.
From Literature
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.
