as in emollient
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in mellowing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in weakening
to diminish the physical strength of
three weeks of being sick in bed had noticeably softened her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alleviating
to lessen the shock of
had tried to soften the blow of her rejection to his marriage proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of softening
Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 24 Dec. 2024
Another indicator of a softening economy is Industrial Production.
—Robert Barone, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Its intensely moisturizing formula features amino acids that make up the protein keratin (which is key for maintaining your hair’s structure and strength) and hair-softening plant extracts.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 Dec. 2024
These are made with sunflower seed oil, avocado oil, and Vitamin E, smoothing and softening even the roughest skin.
—Veronica Booth, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024
Valuing Quality Hires The tech industry is shifting from volume hiring to quality hiring, as companies prioritize the impact of each new employee in a softening labor market.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
The company blamed worsened consumer sentiment in China for driving further softening in overall prestige beauty in mainland China and low conversion rates in Asia travel retail and Hong Kong.
—Kathryn Hopkins, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024
The spray-on scent has a skin-softening base of sweet almond, macadamia, argan, and apricot kernel oils.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
Avoid items that show signs of changes in food texture, such as softening or ice crystals.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
An iron deficiency may lead to nail changes such as softening and weakness.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 24 Dec. 2024
Another indicator of a softening economy is Industrial Production.
—Robert Barone, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Its intensely moisturizing formula features amino acids that make up the protein keratin (which is key for maintaining your hair’s structure and strength) and hair-softening plant extracts.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 Dec. 2024
These are made with sunflower seed oil, avocado oil, and Vitamin E, smoothing and softening even the roughest skin.
—Veronica Booth, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024
Valuing Quality Hires The tech industry is shifting from volume hiring to quality hiring, as companies prioritize the impact of each new employee in a softening labor market.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
The company blamed worsened consumer sentiment in China for driving further softening in overall prestige beauty in mainland China and low conversion rates in Asia travel retail and Hong Kong.
—Kathryn Hopkins, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024
The spray-on scent has a skin-softening base of sweet almond, macadamia, argan, and apricot kernel oils.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024
Avoid items that show signs of changes in food texture, such as softening or ice crystals.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softening
Adjective
-
Plus, emollient ingredients help prevent flaking once the product has dried out.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Thicker consistencies create an emollient barrier on top of the skin, trapping in the heat and exacerbating the inflammation.—
BestReviews,
The Mercury News,
30 Aug. 2024
Verb
-
Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2025
-
With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.—
Jason Schenker,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Despite climbing home prices, mortgage rates have recently reported weeks of declines and inventory is growing in many parts of the country, alleviating the shortage of homes and forcing sellers to slash prices to attract still-cautious buyers.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
-
But aside from a desire for revenge against Israel and remaining the primary power broker in Gaza, Hamas has consistently struggled to articulate an achievable long-term strategy for alleviating the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.—
Mkhaimar Abusada,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Far from proposing lenient surrender terms to exonerate the Confederates, Grant did so in an effort to change their hearts and minds.—
Made by History,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Britain has touted its far more balanced trading relationship with the U.S. in recent weeks, looking for a more lenient approach from Trump.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The horticultural importance of vernalization – cold exposure to induce flowering or other physiological processes – is not restricted to deciduous fruit trees.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Spring flowering trees and shrubs such as lilacs and crabapples form their flower buds in late summer or fall before the plants go dormant for the winter.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Church also believes in and supports the efforts of nations to regulate borders and control immigration, provided it is done in a way that is both just and merciful.—
William McCarthy,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2025
-
The Gospel's beatitudes—blessed are the meek, the merciful, and the peacemakers—stand in stark opposition to the movement's rhetoric of anger and grievance.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
This evolution highlights the need to reimagine traditional processes—not simply digitize existing ones—so that AI becomes a proactive partner in decision-making and everyday operations.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The writer/director brought up Quentin Tarantino and his iconic martial arts duology starring Uma Thurman as The Bride again to explain his own evolution.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in mitigating the risk of wildfires during these perilous conditions.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The process of how that development can be managed by mitigating the threats that may occur in those rural unincorporated areas.—
Emily Alvarenga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softening. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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