The meaning of SOFTEN is to make soft or softer. How to use soften in a sentence.

SOFTEN meaning: 1. to become soft, or to make something soft: 2. to become more gentle or less strict, or to make…. Learn more.

If you soften something or if it softens, it becomes less hard, stiff, or firm. Soften the butter mixture in a small saucepan. [VERB noun] Fry for about 4 minutes, until the onion has softened. …

To make soft or softer. 2. To undermine or reduce the strength, morale, or resistance of. 3. To make less harsh, strident, or critical: softened the last paragraph of the letter. To become soft …

Find 838 different ways to say SOFTEN, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.

to (cause to) become soft or softer: [~ + object] moisturizing cream to soften the skin. [no object] His normally gruff voice softened when he saw that the child was afraid.

Jul 15, 2025 · soften (third-person singular simple present softens, present participle softening, simple past and past participle softened) (transitive) To make something soft or softer.

Definition of soften verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Synonyms for SOFTEN: weaken, hurt, injure, waste, debilitate, exhaust, tire, enfeeble; Antonyms of SOFTEN: strengthen, fortify, recruit, energize, harden, beef (up), season, invigorate

Soften means to make something less hard, harsh, or severe. It can describe physical changes, like softening butter, or emotional ones, like softening one’s tone to sound kinder.