English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com

soften

1 antonyms and opposites of soften, grouped by meaning.

Verb — To make something soft or softer, or to become soft.

Antonyms

How to use soften

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

soften the blow soften up soften the tone

Etymology

From Middle English softenen, built from soft + the verb-forming suffix -en.

Full origin of soften →

Frequently asked questions

What does “soften” mean?

The word “soften” means to make something soft or softer, or to become soft. In plain terms, to make (or become) less hard, harsh, or severe.

How do you pronounce “soften”?

“Soften” is pronounced SO-fuhn (/ˈsɑf(t)ən/ in IPA).

How do you use “soften” in a sentence?

Here is “soften” used in a sentence: “Let the butter soften at room temperature before mixing.”

What is another word for “soften”?

Words with a similar meaning to “soften” include emolliate, mollify and tenderize.

What is the opposite of “soften”?

The opposite of “soften” — its antonyms — is harden.

What part of speech is “soften”?

“Soften” is a verb.

Where does the word “soften” come from?

The word “soften” comes from Middle English. From Middle English softenen, built from soft + the verb-forming suffix -en.

Is “soften” a common word?

“Soften” is an uncommon word in modern English.

People also searched

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of soften
Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.