1
as in weakening
to diminish the physical strength of
three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alleviating
to lessen the shock of
had tried to soften the blow of her rejection to his marriage proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in emollient
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in mellowing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of softening
Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
What little tension the markets were holding heading into CPI report was released when the numbers didn't materially differ from forecasts and were paired with what appeared to be another sign of labor-market softening.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
The softening of the labor market is a major factor weighing on the Federal Reserve, as the central bank’s chairman Jerome Powell indicated in his Jackson Hole address that rate cuts could be coming.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The warmth and steam from the hot glass helps speed along the softening process.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2025
Greg Mellen, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
In 2025, even as the economy shows signs of softening, people are still traveling in droves.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
The nourishing spray uses rice, grape, raspberry, and bamboo waters, as well as softening glycerin, moisturizing shea butter, and film-forming polysaccharides, that, when blended all together, bring hair back to its best condition.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
The skin-softening gel is scented with the heritage brand’s Honey Oud fragrance, while the gentle formula naturally softens the skin.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Instead, try adding vinegar to the rinse cycle for a natural softening effect.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
The economic environment remains foggy, with uncertainty around tariffs and a labor market that, while softening in some areas, remains remarkably resilient in others.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Yes the packaging and scent are very pretty, but this gel-cream won our testers over for its wrinkle-softening effects.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Serving as a throughline for this 40mm model’s development are Genta’s signature, which led to the idea of his signature octagonal shape softening into the sensual curves of a cushion, leaving the ambiguity of a shape that appears round at first glance.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The breakdown of these traditional promotional barriers has led to a softening of the hard-line broadcast deals that previously meant Star Boxer A couldn’t take on Star Boxer B simply because each fought on different platforms.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
What little tension the markets were holding heading into CPI report was released when the numbers didn't materially differ from forecasts and were paired with what appeared to be another sign of labor-market softening.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
The softening of the labor market is a major factor weighing on the Federal Reserve, as the central bank’s chairman Jerome Powell indicated in his Jackson Hole address that rate cuts could be coming.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The warmth and steam from the hot glass helps speed along the softening process.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
Cessna said the 6,756-yard course continues to evolve in subtle ways, softening certain parts for higher-handicap golfers, while ratcheting up the challenges elsewhere.
—Greg Mellen, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
In 2025, even as the economy shows signs of softening, people are still traveling in droves.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
The nourishing spray uses rice, grape, raspberry, and bamboo waters, as well as softening glycerin, moisturizing shea butter, and film-forming polysaccharides, that, when blended all together, bring hair back to its best condition.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
The skin-softening gel is scented with the heritage brand’s Honey Oud fragrance, while the gentle formula naturally softens the skin.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Instead, try adding vinegar to the rinse cycle for a natural softening effect.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
The economic environment remains foggy, with uncertainty around tariffs and a labor market that, while softening in some areas, remains remarkably resilient in others.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Yes the packaging and scent are very pretty, but this gel-cream won our testers over for its wrinkle-softening effects.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Serving as a throughline for this 40mm model’s development are Genta’s signature, which led to the idea of his signature octagonal shape softening into the sensual curves of a cushion, leaving the ambiguity of a shape that appears round at first glance.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softening
Verb
-
But the central bank is now shifting focus to a weakening labor market, as job growth has slowed in recent months.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Amodei’s comments come as recent data points to a labor market that is weakening quicker than expected.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Mahle views its range-extenders as far more than simple independent add-on, looking at them as one component in a holistic driving architecture in which smaller batteries can replace larger ones while still alleviating, rather than intensifying, range anxiety.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Mahle views its range-extenders as far more than simple independent add-on, looking at them as one component in a holistic driving architecture in which smaller batteries can replace larger ones while still alleviating, rather than intensifying, range anxiety.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The formula is infused with emollient fatty acids to help support the skin’s moisture barrier, while its semi-sheer finish ensures a soft glow—far from the heavy-handed bronzer looks of the mid-2010s.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The British government will see a deal it as a vindication of Starmer’s emollient approach to Trump, which has avoided direct confrontation or criticism.—
Zeke Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
Many of Joaquin's accusers decried his state-level plea deal with the California Attorney General's Office as too lenient.—
Luc Cohen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Since then, attorneys and judges have overseen multiple lenient plea deals and case dismissals, while local prosecutors reviewed hundreds of active and resolved cases that Tran investigated.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
To make this flowering pumpkin, purchase 40-50 florists vials (available at crafts supply stores).—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Sep. 2025
-
This likely explains the trees’ lack of flowering.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Addressing methane and mitigating methane helps to reduce global temperatures more quickly.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Robinson's defense may highlight mitigating factors such as his youth and lack of a significant criminal history.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior who suffered and died for Charlie.—
Amanda Castro
Gabe Whisnant
Anna Commander
Toby Meyjes
Shane Croucher
John Feng
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The 2025 season will last for only four more games, and the organization could have let this disappointing campaign come to a merciful end.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
First launched in 1984 with a $250 annual fee (equivalent to $777 in 2025, based on the average rate of inflation), this distinctive card became a global status symbol through the years, morphing into a sleek, weighty metal card that costs more and more with each new evolution.—
Katherine Fan,
AFAR Media,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The decision to expand there was motivated by the region’s ongoing social evolution catalyzed by the growing expat communities of Indians, Russians and British, Nomad cofounder Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte told WWD.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softening. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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