soften

Meaning

1. (transitive) To make something soft or softer.
2. (transitive) To undermine the morale of someone (often soften up).
3. (transitive) To make less harsh
4. (intransitive) To become soft or softer
5. (ambitransitive) To become or make (a consonant) more lenis, to lenite.
6. To palatalize.

Synonyms

melt

make soft

weaken

become soft

mollify

moderate

subdue

lessen

mellow

damp

temper

relent

cushion

smooth

allay

make wet

diminish

soothe

loosen

break

dampen

mitigate

assuage

mince

soak

reduce

alleviate

yield

appease

touch

lower

calm down

tan

rumple

impair

relieve

go soft

buffer

palliate

smooth over

enervate

blunt

attenuate

dull

mash

debilitate

move

drench

dominate

crumble

Translations

ablandar

ammorbidire

suavizar

amollir

adoucir

erweichen

weich machen

rendere soffice

ramollir

verzachten

aufweichen

estovar

suavitzar

mildern

suavizar

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsɒfən/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: softenen

In summary

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