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单词 softening
释义

soften

verb

soft·​en ˈsȯ-fən How to pronounce soften (audio)
softened; softening ˈsȯ-fə-niŋ How to pronounce soften (audio)
ˈsȯf-niŋ

transitive verb

1
: to make soft or softer
2
a
: to weaken the military resistance or the morale of especially by harassment (such as preliminary bombardment)
often used with up
b
: to impair the strength or resistance of
often used with up
soften up a sales prospect

intransitive verb

: to become soft or softer
her face softened
softener
ˈsȯ-fə-nər How to pronounce soften (audio)
ˈsȯf-nər
noun

Synonyms

  • debilitate
  • devitalize
  • enervate
  • enfeeble
  • etiolate
  • prostrate
  • sap
  • tire
  • waste
  • weaken
See all Synonyms & Antonyms

Example Sentences

The butter will soften if left on the counter overnight. The recipe called for one stick of butter, softened. The oil is used to soften and preserve the leather. The lotion softens dry skin. The company has softened its stance on dating in the workplace. Her face softened when he entered the room. His criticism of the president has softened in the past year. The grass softened my fall. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Add the bell pepper, onion and garlic and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the vegetables soften. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 15 Sep. 2022 Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, using the edge of your spoon to help break them up a bit, about 8 minutes. G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 Add the carrots, onion, bell pepper and water chestnuts and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the vegetables soften. Felicia Campbell, USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2022 Cook the remaining salsa over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes soften and the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 Add bell peppers, onion and 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mixture; cook, stirring often, until vegetables soften, 8 to 10 minutes. People Staff, PEOPLE.com, 1 Aug. 2022 Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until the onions soften, about 2½ minutes. WSJ, 26 July 2022 However, edible oil prices are expected to soften in coming months, bringing in some relief for citizens. Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 5 Aug. 2022 The microwave is your best bet to soften up your brown sugar in just a few minutes. Taylor Worden, Good Housekeeping, 21 July 2022 See More

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

soften

verb

soft·​en ˈsȯ-fən How to pronounce soften (audio)
softened; softening
1
: to make or become soft or less firm
Let the wax soften in the sun.
2
: to make or become gentler or less harsh
The elder's stern expression softened. Brian Jacques, Redwall

softening 1 of 3

adjective

as in cushioning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
  • cushioning
  • buffering
  • emollient
  • lenient
  • merciful
  • smooth
  • compassionate
  • clement
  • soothing
  • easy
  • gentle
  • mild
  • calm
  • slick
  • light
  • soft
  • sleek
  • quiet
  • pacific
  • tranquil
  • serene
  • benign
  • peaceful
  • mellow
  • placid
  • tender
  • delicate
  • bland
  • balmy
  • nonabrasive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • harsh
  • hard
  • caustic
  • rough
  • coarse
  • abrasive
  • intense
  • severe
  • powerful
  • stern
  • forceful
  • strong
  • fierce
  • scathing
  • forcible
  • exquisite
  • violent
  • savage
  • ungentle
  • roughened
  • irritating
  • rugged
  • stiff
  • grim
  • roughening
  • gruff
  • oppressive
  • rude
  • pitiless
  • abrading
  • tyrannical
  • heavy-handed
  • tyrannic
See More

softening

2 of 3

noun

as in mellowing

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • mellowing
  • blossoming
  • flowering
  • flourishing
  • maturing
  • maturation
  • evolution
  • ripening
  • evolvement
  • expansion
  • growth
  • development
  • progression
  • maturity
  • coming-of-age

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • deterioration
  • declining
  • decline
  • decay
  • degeneration
  • fading
  • wilting
  • decaying
  • withering
  • waning
  • decadence
  • descent
  • shrivelling
  • shriveling
  • declension
  • death
  • end
  • dying
  • demise
  • ebbing
  • exit
  • expiration
  • reversion
  • perishing
  • regression
  • decease
  • expiry
  • retrogression
  • expiring
See More

softening

3 of 3

verb

present participle of soften
1
as in weakening
to diminish the physical strength of three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • weakening
  • wasting
  • damaging
  • hurting
  • sapping
  • tiring
  • debilitating
  • exhausting
  • enfeebling
  • devitalizing
  • enervating
  • injuring
  • paralyzing
  • crippling
  • impairing
  • depleting
  • etiolating
  • disabling
  • depressing
  • prostrating
  • harming
  • incapacitating
  • impoverishing
  • hamstringing
  • invaliding
  • unmanning
  • laying up
  • washing out
  • wearing out
  • wearing down
  • grinding (down)
  • breaking down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • strengthening
  • fortifying
  • recruiting
  • energizing
  • hardening
  • invigorating
  • rejuvenating
  • toughening
  • vitalizing
  • beefing (up)
  • seasoning
See More
2
as in tempering
to lessen the shock of had tried to soften the blow of her rejection to his marriage proposal

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • tempering
  • alleviating
  • mitigating
  • buffering
  • easing
  • cushioning
  • relieving
  • gentling
  • dulling
  • dampening
  • modulating
  • moderating
  • deadening
  • lightening
  • allaying
  • baffling
  • obtunding
  • assuaging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • intensifying
  • sharpening
  • heightening
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更新时间:2024/12/23 11:00:08