softening

Describes something that makes or becomes less hard, firm, or severe; often used figuratively to describe a reduction in intensity or harshness.

ruОписывает то, что делает или становится менее твёрдым, жёстким или суровым; часто используется в переносном смысле для описания снижения интенсивности или резкости.esDescribe algo que hace que algo sea menos duro, rígido o severo, o que se vuelve menos intenso o agudo; se usa a menudo en sentido figurado para indicar una reducción de la intensidad o la aspereza.frDécrit ce qui rend ou devient moins dur, rigide ou sévère ; souvent utilisé au sens figuré pour décrire une réduction d'intensité ou de dureté.deBezeichnet etwas, das weicher, weniger fest, hart oder streng macht; oft übertragen für die Verringerung von Intensität, Schärfe oder Strenge verwendet.ptDescreve aquilo que torna ou se torna menos duro, rígido ou severo; frequentemente usado em sentido figurado para indicar redução de intensidade ou aspereza.zh指使某物变软、变柔和，或变得不那么坚硬、严厉、强烈；常用于比喻义，表示强度或尖锐程度的减弱。arوصف لما يجعل الشيء أقل صلابة أو قسوة أو حدة، ويُستعمل حقيقةً في التليين والمجاز في تخفيف الشدة أو الحدّة.

1. Soothing or smoothing effect B2 formal

   Having a quality that makes something softer, smoother, or more gentle, especially to the skin.

   • This lotion has a softening effect on dry skin.
   • The cream is known for its softening properties.
   • She uses a softening conditioner to make her hair silky.

   ruСмягчающийesEfecto suavizante o calmantefradoucissantdeWeichmachendptSuavizantezh柔肤的arمُلَطِّف

   Синонимы: demulcentemollientlenitivesoothing

• more softening comparative form
• most softening superlative form

неисчисляемое

A noun referring to the process or result of making or becoming softer in texture, consistency, or intensity.

ruСуществительное, обозначающее процесс или результат смягчения текстуры, консистенции или интенсивности.esSustantivo que denota el proceso o resultado de hacer algo más suave, menos duro, rígido o intenso, ya sea en textura, consistencia, tono o actitud.frNom qui désigne le processus ou le résultat du fait de rendre quelque chose plus doux, plus souple, plus malléable ou moins intense, que ce soit au sens physique ou figuré.deSubstantiv, das den Vorgang oder das Ergebnis bezeichnet, etwas weicher, milder oder weniger intensiv zu machen; auch die Lockerung von Beschränkungen oder das Nachlassen von Härte.ptSubstantivo que designa o processo ou o resultado de tornar algo mais macio, menos rígido, menos intenso ou mais brando, seja na textura, na consistência, no sabor ou na severidade.zh指使某物的质地、稠度变软或强度减弱的过程或结果。arاسم يدل على عملية أو نتيجة التليين، أي جعل الشيء رخواً أو أقل صلابة أو شدة.

1. Process of becoming softer B2 formal

   The act or process of making something less hard, firm, or rigid.

   • The softening of the butter made it easier to spread.
   • The softening of the metal occurs when it is heated.
   • The softening of the ground after rain made walking difficult.

   ruРазмягчениеesablandamientofrramollissementdeErweichungptAmolecimentozh软化arتَلْيين

   Синонимы: mellowingmollificationweakening

   Антонимы: hardeningsolidification

• softenings plural form
• softenings' possessive plural form
• softening's possessive singular form

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

   Синонимы: meltmollifypulpthaw

   Антонимы: 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

   Синонимы: alleviatediminisheaselessenmitigatemoderatetempertone down

   Антонимы: 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

   Синонимы: easemellowmoderaterelaxrelentthawunbendyield

   Антонимы: 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

   Синонимы: blurdiffusedimdullfademufflemutesubduetone down

   Антонимы: 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

   Синонимы: acquiescebendcapitulategive inmellowmeltrelentthawweakenyield

   Антонимы: defyopposeresistwithstand

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