English verb: soften | |||
1. | soften (perception) make (images or sounds) soft or softer | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s somebody. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | change intensity | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | damp, dampen, dull, muffle, mute, tone down | ||
Antonyms | sharpen | ||
2. | soften (change) lessen in force or effect | ||
Samples | Soften a shock. Break a fall. | ||
Synonyms | break, damp, dampen, weaken | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | blunt, deaden | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | damp, dampen, deaden, deafen | ||
3. | soften (stative) give in, as to influence or pressure | ||
Examples | Sam and Sue soften | ||
Synonyms | relent, yield | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Somebody ----s | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | truckle | ||
Antonyms | remain firm, stand | ||
4. | soften (contact) protect from impact | ||
Samples | Cushion the blow. | ||
Synonyms | buffer, cushion | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | modify | ||
5. | soften (communication) make less severe or harsh | ||
Samples | He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears. | ||
Synonyms | mince, moderate | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | alter, change, modify | ||
6. | soften (change) make soft or softer | ||
Samples | This liquid will soften your laundry. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s somebody. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | alter, change, modify | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | macerate, mellow, mollify | ||
Cause | soften | ||
Antonyms | harden, indurate | ||
7. | soften (change) become soft or softer | ||
Samples | The bread will soften if you pour some liquid on it. | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | change | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | macerate, mellow | ||
Antonyms | harden, indurate | ||