Analysis Complete

soften

/ soften /

verb

Definitions & Examples

verb Sense 1

become soft or softer

"The bread will soften if you pour some liquid on it"

Opposites:

harden indurate

Type of:

change

Kinds of:

mellow macerate

Derived:

softening

Usage Patterns:

Somebody ----s

verb Sense 2

make soft or softer

"This liquid will soften your laundry"

Opposites:

harden indurate

Type of:

change alter modify

Kinds of:

mellow mollify macerate

Derived:

softener softening

Usage Patterns:

Somebody ----s somebody into V-ing something

Somebody ----s on something

Somebody ----s somebody PP

verb Sense 3

make (images or sounds) soft or softer

Opposites:

sharpen

Type of:

change intensity

Kinds of:

muffle mute dull damp dampen

Usage Patterns:

Somebody ----s somebody into V-ing something

Somebody ----s on something

Somebody ----s somebody PP

verb Sense 4

make less severe or harsh

"He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears"

Type of:

change alter modify

Derived:

moderation

Usage Patterns:

Somebody ----s somebody into V-ing something

verb Sense 5

lessen in force or effect

"soften a shock"

"break a fall"

Type of:

deaden blunt

Kinds of:

deafen dampen deaden damp

Derived:

weakener damper

Usage Patterns:

Somebody ----s

Somebody ----s somebody into V-ing something

Somebody ----s somebody PP

verb Sense 6

protect from impact

"cushion the blow"

Type of:

modify

Derived:

buffer fender shock absorber shock cushion

Usage Patterns:

Somebody ----s somebody PP

verb Sense 7

give in, as to influence or pressure

Opposites:

stand remain firm

Kinds of:

truckle

Usage Patterns:

Somebody ----s

Somebody ----s something

Semantic Complexity

54%

Sense Count

Total Synonyms

Total Relationships

Times Searched

Relationship Distribution

Word Relationship Graph

Synonyms Antonyms Hypernyms Hyponyms

Related Words

change mellow macerate harden indurate alter modify mollify change intensity muffle mute dull