soften
/ˈsɔfən/ verb C1- To make something soft or softer. · Soften the butter before beating in the sugar.
- To undermine the morale of someone (often soften up). · Before the invasion, we softened up the enemy with the artillery.
- To make less harsh. · Having second thoughts, I softened my criticism.
- To become soft or softer. · The butter softened as it warmed up.
- To become or make (a consonant) more lenis, to lenite.
- To palatalize.
He/she/it softens · Past softened · Past participle softened · -ing form softening
Verb forms
- Base form
- soften
- He/she/it
- softens
- Past
- softened
- Past participle
- softened
- -ing form
- softening
Phrasal verbs and expressions
From the library
Perhaps those prayers may soften the remorse he feels in his heart.
“It is from no personal ill-feeling towards the viscount, that is all I can say, sir,” replied Danglars, who resumed his insolent manner as soon as he perceived that Morcerf was a little softened and calmed down.
Have you really committed the crimes of which you are accused?’ The count looked around him with an expression which might have softened tigers, but which could not disarm his judges.
Acquaintance softens prejudices.
Other matches
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