softening 1 of 3

softening

2 of 3

noun

softening

3 of 3

verb

present participle of soften

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of softening
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
  • Research — a survey of 109 CEOs of major Canadian organizations, complemented by in-depth qualitative interviews with 46 of them — suggests six strategies for alleviating loneliness that leaders can employ.
    Alaric Bourgoin, Sarah L. Wright, Jean-François Harvey, Saouré Kouamé, Harvard Business Review, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Much of this latest round of donations went to organizations focused on alleviating poverty, Scott wrote in a blog post on Wednesday.
    Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Too often, startups take a very lenient approach to defining addressable markets, which signals to investors the lack of understanding of the market on the part of the management team.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • The case has long been viewed as a cautionary tale about government overreach in the digital asset space, with the severity of Ulbricht's original sentence standing in stark contrast to the more lenient treatment of other defendants highlighted in Senator Paul's letter.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In fact, too much of certain nutrients can lead to poor flowering.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Although fertilization is less critical than sufficient light for good growth and flowering, these plants still benefit from an occasional nutrient supplement.
    Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • With that expansion comes opportunities (and predictions) for innovation and evolution in three focus areas: technological advancements, wellness and pharmaceutical research and development, and environmental sustainability.
    Corey Koffler, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Why is that a bad thing — especially when those songs provided the foundation for the evolution of American music in the centuries that followed?
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • This transparency aids employees in comprehending the benefits of the new system and proactively addresses any potential concerns by mitigating uncertainty and resistance.
    Cory McNeley, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
  • What separates a great investor from a good one is proactivity around identifying and mitigating those risks as soon as the deal is final, preferably even before closing.
    Dan Hawkins, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near softening

Cite this Entry

“Softening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softening. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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