Home Synonyms soften

Synonyms of soften in English:

soften


See US English definition of soften

See UK English definition of soften

See Spanish definition of ablandar

verb

1‘he could reduce interest rates to soften the blow of tax increases’

SYNONYMS
alleviate, ease, relieve, soothe, take the edge off, assuage, allay, dull, cushion, lessen, moderate, temper, mitigate, palliate, diminish, decrease, blunt, deaden, abate, tone down
rare lenify

2‘the winds softened’

SYNONYMS
die down, abate, subside, moderate, let up, calm down, lessen, grow less, decrease, diminish, slacken, dwindle, weaken

Phrases

    soften someone up

    1‘they used long-range shelling to soften up defensive positions’


    SYNONYMS
    weaken, undermine someone's resistance, reduce someone's defensive capability

    2‘he would soften up potential buyers in the pub before a sale’


    SYNONYMS
    charm, win over, persuade, influence, undermine someone's resistance, disarm, work on, sweeten, butter up, soft-soap
    British informal nobble