as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking strength of will or character
softness is the one quality that the public will not tolerate in a leader
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of softness
Instead of the sharp contrasting flavors that a traditional spritz provides, this one is all about umami, minerality, and a softness that suits the way most people want to drink during the winter.
—
Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
Kitsch's bar shampoo was developed for results including softness, manageability, and curl definition, outcomes that customers prioritize when selecting hair care items.
—Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Our concept of luxury includes blankets that use natural fibers, high-quality textiles, and come artisan-made, ensuring human hands have touched and felt the softness and durability of the fabric before it’s headed to market.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
Shoppers give it five stars for stretch, softness, and the thick-but-not-sweaty material that keeps you at a perfect temperature, even when the plane’s overhead fan is stuck on full blast.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
If a total home water softening system is out of reach, adding one-half cup of powdered borax to the wash cycle will help improve the softness of your clothes.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
This week reminds you that softness and strength are not opposites.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 8 Feb. 2026
To get the look, her stylist prepped her hair using the Joico Defy Damage Protective Shampoo, which includes protective lipids, moringa seed oil, and arginine to restore hair from damage while boosting shine and softness.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
Learning how to apply argan oil to hair, for example, can help support softness, shine, and a happier scalp all year round.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 6 Feb. 2026
Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
Kitsch's bar shampoo was developed for results including softness, manageability, and curl definition, outcomes that customers prioritize when selecting hair care items.
—Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Our concept of luxury includes blankets that use natural fibers, high-quality textiles, and come artisan-made, ensuring human hands have touched and felt the softness and durability of the fabric before it’s headed to market.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
Shoppers give it five stars for stretch, softness, and the thick-but-not-sweaty material that keeps you at a perfect temperature, even when the plane’s overhead fan is stuck on full blast.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
If a total home water softening system is out of reach, adding one-half cup of powdered borax to the wash cycle will help improve the softness of your clothes.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
This week reminds you that softness and strength are not opposites.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 8 Feb. 2026
To get the look, her stylist prepped her hair using the Joico Defy Damage Protective Shampoo, which includes protective lipids, moringa seed oil, and arginine to restore hair from damage while boosting shine and softness.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
Learning how to apply argan oil to hair, for example, can help support softness, shine, and a happier scalp all year round.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softness
weakness
Noun
-
If your goal is to get at the truth, or at least our closest approximation of it at the present time, the way to do that is to be scrupulous and forthright about the strengths and weaknesses of every link in your chain of argument.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This can raise resting heart rate, increase weakness and fatigue, and reduce endurance—even during everyday activities, not just exercise.—
Katharine Gammon,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softness. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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