How to Use soften in a Sentence

soften

verb
  • The oil is used to soften and preserve the leather.
  • The grass softened my fall.
  • The butter will soften if left on the counter overnight.
  • The recipe called for one stick of butter, softened.
  • Her face softened when he entered the room.
  • The lotion softens dry skin.
  • His criticism of the president has softened in the past year.
  • The company has softened its stance on dating in the workplace.
  • Now is not the time for the West to soften its resolve in the fight against Putin but to step it up.
    — Time, 7 Oct. 2022
  • Leafy trees and potted shrubs soften the view of the city skyline.
    — House Beautiful, 26 Jan. 2023
  • Afterward, use the spoolie to brush through your brows and soften the look.
    — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2024
  • In the next few months, the great frozen swamplands of Alaska will soften and green.
    — Ned Rozell | Alaska Science, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Mar. 2023
  • And there was no way to soften it by giving them a heads-up.
    — Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 13 Oct. 2022
  • Quiet the mind, soften the heart and strengthen your body.
    — Yola Robert, Forbes, 26 May 2022
  • Knead each piece to soften and smooth dough and then roll it between the palms of your hands to form a 1¼-inch ball.
    — WSJ, 30 Nov. 2022
  • Add the cream cheese to the warm corn mixture, allowing the cheese to soften.
    — Mackensy Lunsford, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2022
  • Then, to soften the perimeter, tuck in stems with berries.
    — Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2023
  • That’s not to say that prices softened or demand fell flat.
    — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Feb. 2024
  • But this doesn’t mean that the Hives have abandoned their punk-rock roots or softened their touch.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2023
  • His resolve didn’t soften even when Ms. Mayes came out to her parents in the mid-1990s.
    — Tammy Lagorce, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2023
  • Cook just until grill marks form on the cheese and the dates soften, three to five minutes. Serve warm.
    — Felicia Campbell, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2022
  • Jo Ann Ross has long recognized when to go for the hard- sell and when to soften things up.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 18 May 2022
  • Finally, just comb through your brows with the brush end to soften and blend.
    — Maura Brannigan, Allure, 15 Mar. 2022
  • Talakoub says to shave with—not against—the grain and to shave in a steamy shower to soften the hairs.
    — Harper's BAZAAR, 26 May 2023
  • If the committee adds a fifth early slot, that could go to Iowa to soften the blow.
    — Will Weissert, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2022
  • The lack of updates is frustrating, but maybe a bunch of free movies and shows will help to soften the blow?
    — Jacob Siegal, BGR, 31 Mar. 2022
  • The camera peers at him from inside as blue and red lights flash and sirens soften.
    — Selome Hailu, Variety, 15 June 2022
  • Heat the oil in a pan, then add the garlic and onions; after the onions soften, add the olives, capers and marinara sauce.
    — Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2024
  • Walker Kessler’s 3-point barrage Words soften over time.
    — Fred Katz, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Hinch prioritizes honesty with his players but knows that does not soften the blow.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'soften.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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