Textual thesaurus for "soften"

(verb) weaken, break, damp, dampen

lessen in force or effect

soften a shock; break a fall

(verb) mince, moderate

make less severe or harsh

He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears

(verb) cushion, buffer

protect from impact

cushion the blow

(verb) yield, relent

give in, as to influence or pressure