softening

3 definitions • 7 examples

that has stopped increasing or that is falling:

A softening job market eventually will mean slower wage growth.

The state's unemployment rate has remained remarkably stable at very low rates despite a softening national economy.

a lack of increase or a reduction in the level of something:

a softening in sth A softening in oil prices has helped alleviate some of the damage.

He sees a softening in demand from the current boom's nouveaux riches, whose high-tech wealth is waning.

a softening of sth (against sth) The NIKKEI advanced, with blue-chip exporters bounding higher on a softening of the yen against the dollar.

a reduction in how severe or unpleasant something is:

a softening of sth The minister for immigration recently announced a softening of policy.

The general softening of society's attitude towards the consumption of certain illegal drugs has raised concerns over the impact of drugs at work.