What can cheer up, soften, color everything - a big love.
Source: tatoeba (2826755)
Soften
/ˈsɒfən/
Synonyms for "soften" (402 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (81)
Verb(21 words)
dampenmoderateabateannealannealedappeasesblurredbowdlerizebreakbufferbufferedcompromisecoolscushioncushioneddampdampeneddeadensdeescalateddeescalates
Show 1 more word
Noun(13 words)
Adjective(1 words)
Strong matches (120)
Verb(29 words)
Noun(32 words)
dilute aciddilute brothdilute colordilute juicedilute saucedilute solutiondilute solventdilutingdiluting juicediminishingdullingfadefadesfeatheringfluxingfrench diminuerfuzzesfuzzifyingfuzzinggentling
Show 12 more words
handle more gentlyhedginghedging adverbslighteninglooseninglubricatingmaceratingmellowingmelted water samplemeltingmeltsmilds
Adjective(3 words)
Related words (201)
mistmitigatemoderatemodifymodulatemollifymovemufflemutenarrowneutralizenumbobtundoffsetpacifypadpalepalliatepenetratepierce
Show 79 more words
play downplumppoulticepour balm intopour oil onpulpqualifyquellquietquietenreachreducereduce the temperatureregulateregulate byrelaxrelieverestrainrestrictsaddensalveseasonset conditionsset limitsshake upshow considerationshow mercyshow pitysissifyslackenslakeslipslow downslur oversmartsmashsmoothsmothersobersober downsoft pedalsoft-pedalsoften the blowsoften upsoothesquashstiflestillstingstirstopstupesubduesuccumbsupplesuppresssurrendersweetentake the edge offtametempertenderizethawtonetone downtouchtouch a chordtune downturn downunderplayunderrateundervaluevarnishweakenwhitewashwomanizewrite downwrite offyield
Verb(49 words)
Noun(44 words)
Adjective(9 words)
moderate peer influencemuffledmutednuancedrelaxedseasonal thawunhardenedwatered-downyielding capacity
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: dampen, moderate, abate, abate, absorb the shock.
- Sentence evidence is available for soften, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "soften".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "soften"
Keep "soften" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "soften" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "soften", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "soften" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
16 entriesMore specific
9 entriesCollocations
6 entriessoftening agentsoftening effectsoftening of attitudessoftening of languagesoftening pointsoftening process
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
3 entriesAntonyms
2 entriesSample sentences
15 total sentences available.
You can soften dialysis tubing by soaking it in water.
Source: tatoeba (5605688)
Chloe's marriage is in the care of another deity: as for yourself, however, we will furnish you with means to soften Dryas, and gain his consent.
Source: tatoeba (6213201)
Even the word depression itself was the terminological product of an effort to soften the connotation of deep trouble. In the last century, the term crisis was normally employed.
Source: tatoeba (6287125)
Showing 4 of 15 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "soften"?
Closest matches include dampen, moderate, abate, abate, absorb the shock.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "soften"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.