soften

American

[saw-fuhn, sof-uhn] / ˈsɔ fən, ˈsɒf ən /

verb (used with object)

to make soft or softer.

Synonyms:

ease, quiet, calm, alleviate, soothe, mitigate, mollify, melt

Antonyms:

harden

verb (used without object)

to become soft or softer.

Antonyms:

harden

soften British

/ 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

Other Word Forms

oversoften verb
resoften verb
unsoftening adjective

Etymology

Origin of soften

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; soft, -en ¹

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.

Flash PMI estimates this month pointed to a softening in output growth following the energy price shock.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Chinese auto giant, known for its wide range of low-cost EVs, is experiencing a sales slowdown as domestic demand softens.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kebede said schools would struggle to fund an increase in teachers' pay of even 2% next year from their budgets, and the inclusion fund would "merely soften the blow of underfunding".

From BBC

The difference reflects a larger question facing the central bank: whether the current inflation backdrop requires maintaining restrictive policy, or whether emerging signs of economic softening and improving supply conditions justify a more gradual shift.

From Barron's

Exports in February are expected to show moderate growth, in line with a broader softening trend.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023