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Softening Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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softening

[ˈsɒfnɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

emotions

The act of making something soft or softer. It can also refer to the process of becoming less severe or intense.

Synonyms

easing, moderation, relaxation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
softening

Repeating here, again referring to making something less hard, less severe, or gentler over time. Can apply to physical objects, attitudes, or tones.

  • The softening of his stance made negotiations much easier
relaxation

Use this word when describing actions or states aimed at reducing stress, rigidity, or tension, particularly in leisure activities or in a physical sense.

  • After a long week, she looked forward to some relaxation at the spa
easing

This word is often used when talking about reducing discomfort, tension, or difficulty, especially in situations like pain relief or financial burdens.

  • The new policy is aimed at easing the economic strain on small businesses
moderation

Best in contexts where balancing or limiting extremes is involved, often linked to behavior, habits, or policies to prevent excess or abuse.

  • He advised moderation in all aspects of life, including diet and exercise

Examples of usage

  • The softening of the butter helped in mixing the ingredients smoothly.
  • The softening of his voice indicated a change in his attitude towards the situation.
Context #2 | Noun

material science

The process of making a material or substance softer by applying heat or moisture.

Synonyms

mellowing, tempering, weakening.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
softening

Used when making something less hard or less severe. It often refers to the literal process of making something physically softer or to a figurative easing of harshness.

  • The rain helped in the softening of the soil.
  • He tried softening his tone to avoid conflict.
weakening

Refers to making something less strong or less intense. Unlike the other words, this often has a negative connotation, indicating a reduction in power or effectiveness.

  • Her illness is weakening her day by day.
  • The weakening of the currency has affected the economy.
mellowing

Often used to describe the process of becoming more relaxed, gentle, or less severe over time. It can refer to people, flavors, or atmospheres.

  • With age, he began mellowing and became more patient.
  • The wine's flavor improved after mellowing for a few years.
tempering

Used when balancing or moderating something to create a more desirable quality. It is commonly associated with making emotions or reactions less extreme and more controlled.

  • She is good at tempering her anger in stressful situations.
  • The steel is stronger after tempering.

Examples of usage

  • The softening of the metal allowed it to be molded into different shapes.
  • The softening of the fabric made it more comfortable to wear.
Context #3 | Verb

actions

The act of making something soft or softer.

Synonyms

mellow, moderate, weaken.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
softening

Can also refer specifically to reducing the hardness or firmness of a material or surface.

  • The rain is softening the ground.
  • Softening the butter will make it easier to spread.
mellow

Best used when describing a state of relaxed, smooth, or gentle, often over time. Frequently used with people, music, or taste.

  • After some time, the wine has really mellowed.
  • His voice is very mellow and soothing.
weaken

This word implies a reduction in strength, power, or intensity. It often has a negative connotation and is used in contexts like health, structures, or arguments.

  • The illness has weakened him considerably.
  • Constant criticism can weaken someone's confidence.
moderate

Appropriate for situations where something is being adjusted to a middle ground, avoiding extremes. Often used in contexts like behavior, temperature, or policy.

  • She moderated her tone to keep the discussion calm.
  • It's important to moderate your exercise routine to avoid injury.

Examples of usage

  • She was softening the butter to prepare the dough.
  • His words were aimed at softening the blow of the bad news.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Arts

  • In cooking, softening refers to making ingredients like butter or vegetables easier to mix or cook.
  • The process often involves heat or moisture, which can change texture and flavor.
  • For example, softening onions in a pan can enhance their sweetness and make dishes more flavorful.

Psychology

  • Softening can describe a change in attitude, such as reducing anger or aggression to foster understanding.
  • In therapeutic settings, creating a softening moment can help clients open up emotionally.
  • Research suggests that adopting a soft approach in conflict resolution leads to more positive outcomes.

Nature

  • In environmental contexts, softening might refer to the process of water erosion, where hard surfaces are worn down over time.
  • The softening of soil is crucial for agriculture, allowing roots to grow and obtain nutrients.
  • Throughout nature, softening can signify transitions, such as the shift from winter to spring, resulting in melted snow and blooming plants.

Art

  • In art, softening techniques are used in painting to create gentle color blends and smooth transitions.
  • Sculptors often soften hard materials like stone or wood with tools to achieve delicate finishes and details.
  • Softening is also a crucial concept in photography, where a soft focus can evoke emotions or atmospheric effects.

Origin of 'softening'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'softening' comes from the Old English 'softe,' meaning 'not hard or firm.'
  • It combines 'soft,' representing gentleness, with '-ening,' which indicates the process of becoming.
  • Language evolution shows how the meaning has remained tied to gentleness across centuries.

The word 'softening' has its origins in the Middle English term 'softnen', which is a combination of 'soft' and the suffix '-en'. The concept of softening has been prevalent in various fields such as cooking, material science, and emotions, where the process of making something soft or less intense is essential for different purposes.

See also: soft, softball, softbox, softcover, soften, softenable, softener, softie, softly, softness, software, softy.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,147, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.