ˈsȯfən also ˈsäf- sometimes -ftən verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English softnen, from soft (I) + -nen -en
transitive verb
1. : to lessen the severity of : make more endurable : assuage , mitigate
have softened their puritanical code — Paul Blanshard
pride in his heroism softened their grief
2.
a. : to render gentle, mild, or compassionate : induce sympathy or mercy in : melt
the story should soften the stoniest of hearts — J.D.Adams
b. : to reduce the harshness or rigor of : make milder or gentler : mollify
softening him to love by eloquent tenderness — T.L.Peacock
c. : to make effeminate or weak : leach away the strength or virility of : enervate
ease and luxury had softened their fiber
3. : to make less glaring, loud, or sharp : tone down the brightness, contrast, or sound of : round or blend the harsh lines or jagged angles of
dusk and dark clouds were softening the daylight — Elyne Mitchell
the contours of the bodies are softened — Leona Prasse
4.
a. : to make less hard, solid, or compact (as by pounding or annealing)
heat softens iron
b. : to make less dry or brittle by use of an oil or grease : restore freshness, pliability, or luster to
lotions that soften dry skin
used oil to soften and preserve leather
c. : to make (hair) more receptive to dye by use of a bleaching solution
5. : to lessen the hardness of (water) especially by removing or reducing the reactivity of calcium and magnesium ions (as by precipitation, ion exchange, or sequestration)
6. : to remove impurities from (lead) preparatory to desilverizing
7.
a. : to weaken the military resistance and morale of especially by preliminary bombardment or other harassment — often used with up
b. : to break the resistance or opposition of (a person) by physical or mental torture
first we'll soften you up with a little of the pistol-whipping I promised you — Hartley Howard
8. : to bring down (prices or market demand)
adverse developments … have completely demoralized product prices, softened the price of crude, and are squeezing profits to a minimum — P.C.Spencer
intransitive verb
: to become soft, gentle, pliable, or weak
her expression softened
foreign policy softened as the cold war reached a temporary lull
the wind was softening — Vincent McHugh