Definitions for soften
ˈsɔ fən, ˈsɒf ənsoft·en

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. softenverb

   make (images or sounds) soft or softer

2. dampen, damp, soften, weaken, breakverb

   lessen in force or effect

   "soften a shock"; "break a fall"

3. yield, relent, softenverb

   give in, as to influence or pressure

4. cushion, buffer, softenverb

   protect from impact

   "cushion the blow"

5. mince, soften, moderateverb

   make less severe or harsh

   "He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears"

6. softenverb

   make soft or softer

   "This liquid will soften your laundry"

7. softenverb

   become soft or softer

   "The bread will soften if you pour some liquid on it"

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. softenverb

   To make something soft or softer.

   Soften the butter before beating in the sugar.

2. softenverb

   To undermine the morale of someone (often soften up).

   Before the invasion, we softened up the enemy with the artillery.

3. softenverb

   To make less harsh

   Having second thoughts, I softened my criticism.

4. softenverb

   To become soft or softer

   The butter softened as it warmed up.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. To Softenverb

   Etymology: from soft.

   1. To make soft; to make less hard.

   Bodies, into which the water will enter, long seething will rather soften than indurate. Francis Bacon, Natural History.

   Their arrow’s point they soften in the flame,
   And sounding hammers break its barbed frame. John Gay.

   2. To intenerate; to make less fierce or obstinate; to mollify.

   I will soften stony hearts. John Milton.

   Our friends see not our faults, or conceal them, or soften them by their representation. Addison.

   I would correct the harsh expressions of one party, by softening and reconciling methods. Isaac Watts.

   3. To make easy; to compose; to make placid; to mitigate; to palliate; to alleviate.

   Call round her tomb each object of desire,
   Bid her be all that chears or softens life,
   The tender sister, daughter, friend, and wife. Alexander Pope.

   Musick the fiercest griefs can charm;
   Musick can soften pain to ease,
   And make despair and madness please. Alexander Pope.

   4. To make less harsh.

   He bore his great commission in his look,
   But sweetly temper’d awe, and soften’d all he spoke. Dryd.

2. To Softenverb

   1. To grow less hard.

   Many bodies, that will hardly melt, will soften; as iron in
   The forge. Francis Bacon, Natural History.

   2. To grow less obdurate, cruel, or obstinate.

   He may soften at the sight of the child;
   The silence often of pure innocence
   Persuades, when speaking fails. William Shakespeare.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Softenverb

   to make soft or more soft

2. Softenverb

   to render less hard; -- said of matter

3. Softenverb

   to mollify; to make less fierce or intractable

4. Softenverb

   to palliate; to represent as less enormous; as, to soften a fault

5. Softenverb

   to compose; to mitigate; to assuage

6. Softenverb

   to make less harsh, less rude, less offensive, or less violent, or to render of an opposite quality

7. Softenverb

   to make less glaring; to tone down; as, to soften the coloring of a picture

8. Softenverb

   to make tender; to make effeminate; to enervate; as, troops softened by luxury

9. Softenverb

   to make less harsh or grating, or of a quality the opposite; as, to soften the voice

10. Softenverb

    to become soft or softened, or less rude, harsh, severe, or obdurate

Matched Categories

1. • Change
   • Change Intensity
   • Deaden
   • Modify

How to pronounce soften?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say soften in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of soften in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of soften in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of soften in a Sentence

1. Daniel Silver:

   The link between sentiment and spending is not especially tight, but the recent decline in consumer sentiment could be a sign that the spending data will soften soon.

2. Nathaniel Jeanson:

   It may soften the antagonism on the part of the evolutionary community.

3. Johann Kaspar Lavater:

   There are many kinds of smiles, each having a distinct character. Some announce goodness, and sweetness, others betray sarcasm, bitterness, and pride; some soften the countenance by their languishing tenderness, others brighten by their spiritual vivacity.

4. Eric Foley:

   First lady Ri seems to have been portrayed as offering guidance – not to her husband, of course, but to the factory workers. It is rare for anyone other than Kim Jong Un, or Kim Jong Il or Kim Il Sung before him, to publicly offer guidance to anyone, even at the highest level, most trusted people are rarely ever shown doing that. So this certainly shows a high level of official trust in her. It also suggests an effort to bolster and soften the public positioning of the Pyongyang line to have him visit a cosmetics factory, and have them both appearing to offer guidance to the workers.

5. Michael Green:

   While that does soften the blow of the rising prices you can see how consumers, looking at how crude prices are dropping, feel frustrated at the higher prices for gasoline.

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