Word

soften, v.
(softened, softening, softens)
freq. cnt. 5

make (images or sounds) soft or softer
<verb.perception> freq. cnt.: 4 freq. cnt.: 4

soften

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

lexical pointers

antonym

semantic pointers

hypernym

change intensity

hyponym

muffle, mute, dull, damp, dampen, tone down

lessen in force or effect
<verb.change> freq. cnt.: 2 freq. cnt.: 1 freq. cnt.: 1

break damp dampen soften weaken

sample sentences

"soften a shock"
"break a fall"

verb frames

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

verb frames

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

verb frames

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

verb frames

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

verb frames

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

semantic pointers

hypernym

hyponym

deafen deaden, dampen, damp

become soft or softer
<verb.change>

soften

sample sentences

"The bread will soften if you pour some liquid on it"

verb frames

Something ----s

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

antonym

semantic pointers

hypernym

hyponym

mellow macerate

make soft or softer
<verb.change>

soften

sample sentences

"This liquid will soften your laundry"

verb frames

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

softening softener

antonym

semantic pointers

hypernym

change, alter, modify

hyponym

mellow mollify macerate

cause

make less severe or harsh
<verb.communication> freq. cnt.: 2 freq. cnt.: 2

mince moderate soften

sample sentences

"He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears"

verb frames

Somebody ----s something

verb frames

Somebody ----s something

verb frames

Somebody ----s something

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

semantic pointers

hypernym

change, alter, modify

protect from impact
<verb.contact> freq. cnt.: 2 freq. cnt.: 2

buffer cushion soften

sample sentences

"cushion the blow"

verb frames

Something ----s something

verb frames

Something ----s something

verb frames

Something ----s something

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

cushioning cushion

lexical pointers

derivationally related form

semantic pointers

hypernym

give in, as to influence or pressure
<verb.stative> freq. cnt.: 5 freq. cnt.: 3 freq. cnt.: 2

relent soften yield

verb frames

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Sam and Sue %s

verb frames

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Sam and Sue %s

verb frames

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Sam and Sue %s

lexical pointers

antonym

semantic pointers

hyponym