English dictionary
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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 | ||
Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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Web design: Orcapia v/Per Bang. English edition: .
2025 onlineordbog.dk