Definition Definition

soften - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'soften' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Soften [ v. i.]
- To become soft or softened, or less rude, harsh, severe, or obdurate.
2 . Soften [ v. t.]
- To make soft or more soft.
- To render less hard; -- said of matter.
- To mollify; to make less fierce or intractable.
- To palliate; to represent as less enormous; as, to soften a fault.
- To compose; to mitigate; to assuage.
- To make less harsh, less rude, less offensive, or less violent, or to render of an opposite quality.
- To make less glaring; to tone down; as, to soften the coloring of a picture.
- To make tender; to make effeminate; to enervate; as, troops softened by luxury.
- To make less harsh or grating, or of a quality the opposite; as, to soften the voice.

Meaning of 'soften' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . soften [ v]
Meaning (1):
- lessen in force or effect
Example in sentence:
  • break a fall;
  • soften a shock
Meaning (2):
- protect from impact
Example in sentence:
  • cushion the blow
Meaning (3):
- make less severe or harsh
Example in sentence:
  • He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears;
  • mitigating circumstances
Meaning (4):
- become soft or softer
Example in sentence:
  • The bread will soften if you pour some liquid on it
Meaning (5):
- make soft or softer
Example in sentence:
  • This liquid will soften your laundry