Soften: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'soften' when you want to make something less intense, especially in the context of physical textures, emotions, or attitudes.

• She used conditioner to soften her hair
• He tried to soften his tone when speaking to the upset child

Use 'mollify' to describe calming someone down, especially when they are angry or upset. It is somewhat formal and often used in interpersonal contexts.

• He tried to mollify his angry girlfriend with flowers
• The manager's explanation did little to mollify the upset customers

Use 'lessen' when you want to decrease the amount, intensity, or degree of something in a general sense.

• The government introduced new policies to lessen unemployment
• His apology did little to lessen her anger

Use 'mitigate' in more formal contexts to describe the action of making something less severe, harmful, or painful.

• The new laws are intended to mitigate environmental damage
• Effective communication can mitigate misunderstandings

Use 'alleviate' when you want to reduce or relieve pain, suffering, or discomfort.

• The doctor gave her medicine to alleviate the pain
• Listening to music helps alleviate his stress

Has been listed previously with the same meaning and context, such repetition might not be necessary.

Specifically used in cooking to describe making meat softer and easier to chew, usually by pounding or marinating.

• Tenderize the steak with a meat mallet before cooking.
• You can tenderize the meat by marinating it in a mixture of vinegar and spices.

Best used in culinary contexts for soaking food in liquid to soften it and infuse it with flavor.

• Macerate the strawberries in sugar to release their juices.
• The recipe instructs to macerate dried fruit in rum overnight.

Appropriate when talking about making something less tight or more relaxed. It is often used for physical objects like screws, ropes, or clothes.

• Loosen the screws before attempting to remove the panel.
• She loosened her grip on the handle.

Use this when referring to making someone or something less tense or more comfortable, often in a personal or psychological context.

• She needed a vacation to relax after months of hard work.
• The therapist suggested techniques to help him relax.

Used for making something less hard, less intense, or less severe. It can refer to physical objects or emotional states.

• She added some conditioner to soften her hair
• His tone softened when he saw she was upset

Used to describe making a sound less loud or less clear, often by covering or wrapping.

• She used a pillow to muffle her cries
• The thick walls helped muffle the noise from the street

Often means to make something slightly wet or to reduce the intensity of feelings or reactions. It can sometimes carry a slightly negative meaning.

• The rain began to dampen their clothes
• The bad news dampened everyone's spirits

Refers to reducing volume to the point of silence, usually related to sound or electronic devices. It can also mean to reduce the intensity of something, like emotions.

• He pressed the remote to mute the TV
• The tragic news seemed to mute everyone's joy

Used to describe reducing noise or making a place less noisy. It can also refer to calming emotions or situations.

• She asked the children to quiet down
• A peaceful walk in the woods quieted his mind