SOFTEN

v. 1 Often, soften up. melt, affect, mollify, mellow, palliate, soothe, relax, appease Nothing would soften the heart of that cruel tyrant 2 mitigate, assuage, diminish, moderate, reduce, cushion, lessen, weaken, allay, ease, lighten, abate, temper, relieve Can't you think of some way to soften the blow of such bad news? 3 muffle, deaden, damp, soft-pedal, lower, still, quiet, tone down, lessen, diminish, lighten, turn down, quell, Chiefly Brit quieten Try to soften the high notes and bring up the bass 4 give in, succumb, surrender, yield, agree, consent, concur, assent, give way, relax, ease (up), let up The committee finally softened and allowed the park to be used for games