soften
VerbOpen English WordNet
Verb (7)softens, softened, softening
- make (images or sounds) soft or softerOpposite sharpenMore general change intensityMore specific muffle, mute
- lessen in force or effect“soften a shock”“break a fall”Synonyms: dampendampweakenbreakMore general deaden, bluntMore specific dampen, deafen
- give in, as to influence or pressureSynonyms: yieldrelentOpposite remain firmMore general accept, consentMore specific truckle
- protect from impact“cushion the blow”Synonyms: cushionbufferMore general modify
- make less severe or harsh“He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears”Synonyms: mincemoderateMore general change, alter
- make soft or softer“This liquid will soften your laundry”Opposite hardenMore general change, alterMore specific mellow, mollify, macerate
- become soft or softer“The bread will soften if you pour some liquid on it”
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
To make soft or more soft. Specifically: —
(a) To render less hard; — said of matter.
Their arrow's point they soften in the flame.— John Gay
(b) To mollify; to make less fierce or intractable.
Diffidence conciliates the proud, and softens the severe.— Rambler, The
(c) To palliate; to represent as less enormous; as, to soften a fault.
(d) To compose; to mitigate; to assuage.
Music can soften pain to ease.— Alexander Pope
(e) To make calm and placid.
All that cheers or softens life.— Alexander Pope
(f) To make less harsh, less rude, less offensive, or less violent, or to render of an opposite quality.
He bore his great commision in his look, But tempered awe, and softened all he spoke.— John Dryden
(g) To make less glaring; to tone down; as, to soften the coloring of a picture.
(h) To make tender; to make effeminate; to enervate; as, troops softened by luxury.
(i) To make less harsh or grating, or of a quality the opposite; as, to soften the voice.
To become soft or softened, or less rude, harsh, severe, or obdurate.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54