soft ‧ en /ˈsɒf ə n $ ˈsɒː-/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ softness , ↑ softener , SOFTIE/SOFTY ; verb : ↑ soften ; adverb : ↑ softly ; adjective : ↑ soft ]
1 . ( also soften up ) to become less hard or rough, or make something less hard or rough OPP harden :
Use moisturizer to soften your skin.
Cook until the onion softens.
2 . if your attitude softens, or if something softens it, it becomes less strict and more sympathetic OPP harden :
The government has softened its stance on public spending.
soften towards
I felt that he was beginning to soften towards me.
3 . to make the effect of something seem less unpleasant or severe, or to become less unpleasant or severe
soften the blow/impact
The impact of the tax was softened by large tax-free allowances.
4 . if your expression or voice softens, or if something softens it, you look or sound kinder and more gentle OPP harden :
His voice softened as he spoke to her.
5 . to make the shape or colour of something look less severe:
Climbing plants soften the outline of a fence.
soften somebody/something ↔ up phrasal verb
1 . informal to be nice to someone before you ask them to do something, so that they will agree to help you:
She was just softening me up.
2 . to make an enemy weaker so that they are easier to attack:
Use artillery to soften up the enemy forces.
3 . to make something less hard or rough