soften

A verb used to indicate the act of making something less hard, firm, or severe, or becoming less harsh or intense.

ruГлагол, используемый для обозначения действия по уменьшению твердости, жесткости или суровости чего-либо, или становления менее резким или интенсивным.esVerbo que se usa para indicar la acción de hacer algo menos duro, rígido o severo, o de volverse menos brusco o intenso.frVerbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de rendre quelque chose moins dur, moins rigide ou moins sévère, ou de devenir moins brusque ou moins intense.deVerb, das bezeichnet, etwas weicher, weniger hart oder weniger streng zu machen bzw. selbst weicher oder nachgiebiger zu werden.ptVerbo que indica a ação de tornar algo mais macio, menos rígido ou menos severo, ou de se tornar menos intenso, agudo ou ríspido.zh动词，表示使某物变软、变柔和，或使语气、态度、影响等变得不那么严厉、强烈或刺耳；也可表示自身变软或变得温和。arفعل يدل على تقليل الصلابة أو الشدة أو القسوة في شيء ما، أو أن يصبح الشيء أقل حدة أو قوة أو عنفاً.

1. Make less hard B1 formal

   To make something physically less hard, firm, or rigid.

   • The heat will soften the butter.
   • She used a conditioner to soften her hair.
   • Soak the beans overnight to soften them.

   ruСмягчитьesAblandar (hacer menos duro)frramollirdeWeichmachenptAmolecerzh使变软arتليين

   المرادفات: meltmollifypulpthaw

   الأضداد: hardensolidifystiffen

2. Reduce intensity B2 formal

   To make something less severe, harsh, or forceful.

   • The government tried to soften the impact of the new tax.
   • He softened his criticism with a few compliments.
   • The cushions soften the blow of a fall.

   ruСмягчитьesSuavizar (reducir intensidad)frAtténuerdeAbschwächenptSuavizarzh缓和arتخفيف الحدّة

   المرادفات: alleviatediminisheaselessenmitigatemoderatetempertone down

   الأضداد: aggravateheightenintensifysharpenstrengthen

3. Become gentle or yielding B2 formal

   To become more gentle, kind, or less strict in attitude.

   • Her expression softened when she saw the child.
   • He refused to soften his stance on the issue.
   • The teacher softened after hearing the student's explanation.

   ruСмягчитьсяesablandarse, volverse benignofrs'adoucirdeSanfter werdenptSuavizar-sezh变温和arيلين

   المرادفات: easemellowmoderaterelaxrelentthawunbendyield

   الأضداد: hardenstiffenstrengthentoughen

4. Modify sound or image B2 formal IT

   To make sounds or images less sharp, loud, or distinct.

   • The editor softened the background music in the film.
   • You can soften the lighting with a lampshade.
   • The software can soften the edges of a photograph.

   ruСмягчитьessuavizar (sonido/imagen)frAdoucir (son ou image)deAbschwächenptSuavizarzh使柔和arتلطيف الصوت أو الصورة

   المرادفات: blurdiffusedimdullfademufflemutesubduetone down

   الأضداد: amplifyhardenintensifysharpen

5. Yield to influence B2 informal

   To give in to pressure, persuasion, or influence.

   • He eventually softened and agreed to help.
   • She refused to soften under the intense negotiation.
   • The company softened its position after public backlash.

   ruУступать влияниюesceder a la influenciafrCéder à l'influencedeSich beeinflussen lassenptCeder à influênciazh态度软化arالاستجابة للتأثير

   المرادفات: acquiescebendcapitulategive inmellowmeltrelentthawweakenyield

   الأضداد: defyopposeresistwithstand

• softened past participle
• softened past simple
• softening present participle
• softens third person singular