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

: to make soft or softer

: to weaken the military resistance or the morale of especially by harassment (such as preliminary bombardment)

—often used with up

: 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

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

单词	softening
释义	soften verb soft·en ˈsȯ-fən softened; softening ˈsȯ-fə-niŋ 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 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 Phrases Containing soften cushion/soften the blow soften up cushion/soften the blow soften up Kids Definition soften verb soft·en ˈsȯ-fən 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
随便看	sluggishest sluggishlier sluggishliest sluggishly sluggishness sluggishnesses slughorn slughorns sluglike slugline slugs slugs (down) slugs down slugwood sluice sluice box sluice gate sluice valve sluiced sluicegates sluicer sluices sluiceway sluiceways sluicing

soften

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing soften

Kids Definition

verb

adjective

noun

verb