SOFTENED Synonyms: 139 Similar and Opposite Words

softened 1 of 2

adjective

as in weak

lacking bodily strength the athlete, softened by the long period of convalescence, had to begin his training program almost from scratch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

softened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of soften

as in weakened

to diminish the physical strength of three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tempered

to lessen the shock of had tried to soften the blow of her rejection to his marriage proposal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of softened

Adjective

The market has rejected CBS’s softened stance towards this administration. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 5 Oct. 2026 Add scallions and garlic to reserved drippings in skillet; cook over medium-low, stirring constantly, until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026 In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, garlic, and parsley. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026 Sage Corn Muffins with Ham and Spicy Jelly Slather these quick muffins with softened butter, purchased apple jelly with jalapeño and sage, then top with ham. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 6 Sep. 2026 Even the softened base is fronted by dark gray walls, which are especially noticeable on the museum’s western, neighborhood side. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Problems surged in 2020, after sweeping criminal justice reforms led by Capitol Hill’s Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen, who spearheaded softened penalties for crimes. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026 In separate large bowl of electric mixer beat together softened butter (1 stick) and 3/4 cup sugar at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. — Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 3 Aug. 2026 Energy company Equinor doubts the bloc will hit even its softened 80% winter target. — semafor.com, 31 July 2026

Verb

Opening the show, model Dyanira Hurbuscher walked in a sheer look — a bra hinting at the boning seen in Edwardian-era corsetry, but completely softened and unrestricted (Gabrielle famously rejected the stiff fashion rules of her time). — Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 Earlier this year, the EU softened its corporate sustainability disclosure rules and adjusted its carbon pricing framework. — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026 India’s changing light informs the palette — with white and cream softened by the sun, dusty pink, light pastels and earthy spice tones sit alongside bright colors. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026 Content oversight provided by Studio 1847 Chicago’s housing market remains competitive, even as conditions have softened in other parts of the country. — Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 Dunn-Edwards just announced its 2027 Color of the Year—French Press Coffee—a deep, nuanced brown softened by a subtle plum undertone that embodies the rich character of roasted coffee. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 1 Oct. 2026 In a small bowl, combine the Dijon, lemon zest, and softened butter. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026 The president’s approval has softened even among those who still support his performance. — Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 Grace softened her face, focusing on the light in Ella's chestnut eyes, knowing that her gaze would be felt by her daughter. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for softened

Adjective

The makeup is top-tier, the Aaliyah swoop bang is swooping, and the jewelry accents stand out without doing too much, which is usually her weak spot.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Brennan's maiden win came at the 2025 Bank of Utah Championship in November against an admittedly weaker field.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of weak

Verb

Isaias has weakened dramatically since making landfall last night as a Category 2 hurricane.

— Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
Wide swaths of the Southwest were deluged Sunday as the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel weakened and moved inland, but coastal communities already battered by high surf emerged with less damage than some officials feared.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of weakened

Verb

There are no guarantees that polling’s troubles – and persistent popular skepticism about the dependability of election polls – will be alleviated anytime soon.

— W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Woman after woman told USA TODAY that physicians never talked to their mothers who had become seriously ill or died about vaginal estrogen, something that would have alleviated their painful UTIs – and ultimately prevented them in the first place.

— Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of alleviated

Adjective

Then, Washington tight end Decker DeGraaf caught a pass and took off down the sideline, the former Glendora High standout running through two feeble-arm tackles on the way to an inexplicable 42-yard touchdown.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Briogeo Destined for Density Serum The Briogeo Destined for Density Serum is a lightweight liquid formula that thickens feeble strands, plumps roots, and rapidly spurs new hair growth.

— Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of feeble

Verb

His loneliness is somewhat mitigated by the other sentient AIs he’s uploaded to his mindspace, envisioned by creator Terry Matalas (Syfy’s 12 Monkeys) as a big white house on a purposefully digital green lawn.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Gowanus is hardly the only postindustrial New York neighborhood rife with toxic waste — in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, the extent of toxic contamination is still being uncovered and mitigated in an ad hoc fashion.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of mitigated

Adjective

However, the company said beer depletions, a measure of sales from distributors to retailers and other customers, declined slightly during the quarter, indicating consumer demand was softer than shipment growth suggests.

— Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Passion fruit seeds are soft and edible, but there are just too many to be enjoyable.

— Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of soft

Verb

Thanks to the coffered and baffled wood ceilings, noise levels are buffered and kept to a pleasant rumble.

— Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
CFOs and operators should recognize that redemption pressure from 401(k) vehicles is structurally buffered at the fund level and is unlikely to translate into direct liquidity demands at the PortCo level.

— Nate Heeren, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of buffered

Adjective

The Support Staff Basic Training program is intended for emerging, diverse writers — BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, over 40 years old — who are based in the eastern half of the United States.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
The manufacturer warns they should not be used on high-risk populations such as kids, pregnant women or disabled people.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of disabled

Browse Nearby Words

soften

softened

softener

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Softened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softened. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of softened

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes