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.
  • There is no way to soften the blow.
    — Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • This will build depth and soften edges.
    — Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The nuts will soften over time.
    — Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Vines feed birds and soften fences.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026
  • Would a dose of self-love help soften the pain?
    — Usa Today, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Any residue should be softened enough to just wipe away.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Gen Z doesn’t soften the point.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
  • There is no way to soften this—this was murder.
    — Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Beyond it, the main room opens up and softens.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 7 May 2026
  • That may have helped soften the blow for investors.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Prices that can move tend to fall faster when demand softens.
    — Hemant K. Bhargava, Boston Herald, 23 May 2026
  • Let this month soften you, not shatter you.
    — Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The lighting softens as the day fades.
    — Nathanael Bondu, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
  • What's the best way to soften butter?
    — Molly Allen, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026
  • And to soften the deal, my top picks start at just $10.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026
  • As volumes have softened, so have rates.
    — Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Cured in salt, the peels soften and go from bitter to salty/tart.
    — Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Still, your heart softens where there’s honesty, even in the messy parts.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Layers frame and soften the face.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
  • This jump-starts the softening process.
    — Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Looking for a way to soften your red or pink French?
    — Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Has the business with Grady softened their stance on him at all?
    — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 20 June 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.

Last Updated: