soften

Verb

Verb Forms: softened, softening, softens

To make or become less hard, severe, or intense.
make (images or sounds) soft or softer
lessen in force or effect
- "soften a shock"
give in, as to influence or pressure
protect from impact
make less severe or harsh
make soft or softer
- "This liquid will soften your laundry"
become soft or softer
- "The bread will soften if you pour some liquid on it"
To make something soft or softer.
To undermine the morale of someone (often soften up).
To make less harsh
To become soft or softer
To become or make (a consonant) more lenis, to lenite.
To palatalize.

Examples

Before the invasion, we softened up the enemy with the artillery.
Having second thoughts, I softened my criticism.
He tried to soften the blow of his high score by offering a rematch in Words With Friends.
Soften the butter before beating in the sugar.
The butter softened as it warmed up.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English softenen, softnen, equivalent to soft + -en.

Synonyms

break, buffer, cushion, damp, dampen, mince, moderate, relent, weaken, yield, emolliate, mollify, soften, subdue, temper, tenderize

Antonyms

harden, sharpen, stand

Scrabble Score: 9

soften: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
soften: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
soften: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

soften: valid Words With Friends Word