1. Make soft or softer
   "This liquid will soften your laundry"
    
2. Become soft or softer
   "The bread will soften if you pour some liquid on it"
    
3. Make less severe or harsh
   "He softened his tone when the students burst out in tears";
   - mince, moderate
    
4. Lessen in force or effect
   "soften a shock";
   - dampen, damp, weaken, break
    
5. Become less severe or strict
   "The rules softened after the new director arrived";
   - relax, loosen
    
6. Protect from impact
   "soften the blow";
   - cushion, buffer
    
7. Give in, as to influence or pressure
   "He finally softened to his daughter's requests";
   - yield, relent
    
8. Make (images or sounds) soft or softer
   "The photographer softened the harsh lighting in the portrait"

Derived forms: softened, softens, softening

Type of: accept, alter, blunt, change, change intensity, consent, deaden, go for, modify

Antonym: harden, remain firm, sharpen

Encyclopedia: Soften