26984 words

softened

3 definitions • 4 examples
1
past simple and past participle of
2
to become soft, or to make something soft:

Examples:

You can soften the butter by warming it gently.
These dried apples will soften (up) if you soak them in water.
3
to become more gentle or less strict, or to make someone do this:

Examples:

The news will upset him - we must think of a way to soften the blow (= make the news less unpleasant for him).
Would you say the government's stance on law and order has softened?

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