Synonyms and related words :
cushion, ease, fluff, gentle, get ready, get set, knead, laxate, limber, loosen, mash, massage, mellow, milden, mollify, plump, pulp, relax, shake up, shoulder arms, smash, soften, soften up, squash, strip for action, subdue, supple, tenderize, tone down, tune down, warm up, whet the knife