See Also: soften(dictionary)
soften(dictionary)

soften (oh)



also soften up
to become less hard or rough, or make something less hard or rough
-opposite harden harden
::Use moisturizer to soften your skin.
::Cook until the onion softens.
if your attitude softens, or if something softens it, it becomes less strict and more sympathetic
-opposite harden harden
::The government has softened its stance on public spending.
soften towards
::I felt that he was beginning to soften towards me.
to make the effect of something seem less unpleasant or severe, or to become less unpleasant or severe
soften the blow/impact
::The impact of the tax was softened by large tax-free allowances.
if your expression or voice softens, or if something softens it, you look or sound kinder and more gentle
-opposite harden harden
::His voice softened as he spoke to her.
to make the shape or colour of something look less severe
::Climbing plants soften the outline of a fence.
soften up [soften sb/sth ¡û¡ú up] phr v
informal to be nice to someone before you ask them to do something, so that they will agree to help you
::She was just softening me up.
to make an enemy weaker so that they are easier to attack
::Use artillery to soften up the enemy forces.
to make something less hard or rough