soften
verb (used with object)
were softening
-
past progressiveof soften.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Already on Saturday, some members of Congress were softening their initial skepticism.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 3, 2026
High interest rates and inflation continued to drag down demand, S&P Global said, although there were signs that companies were softening their pricing strategies as output price inflation eased.
From Reuters ● Jan. 4, 2023
Hits by guys such as Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett were softening the machismo and picking up post-Drake beats from the heights of the pop charts.
From Slate ● Mar. 29, 2018
But coal markets were softening and as soon as the deal was done Whitehaven shares started falling and never recovered.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 28, 2013
She kept the strained gaze upon him, but hope was kindling, and the hard lines of her youthful face were softening.
From The Lone Star Ranger, a romance of the border by Zane Grey
