soften

Universal Words verb 1 to become, or to make sth softer: [V] Fry the onions until they soften. * [VN] a lotion to soften the skin * Linseed oil will soften stiff leather. 2 to become or to make sth less bright or harsh: [VN] Trees soften the outline of the house. [also V] 3 to become or to make sb/sth more sympathetic and less severe or critical: [V] She felt herself softening towards him. * His face softened as he looked at his son. * [VN] She softened her tone a little. 4 [VN] to reduce the force or the unpleasant effects of sth: Air bags are designed to soften the impact of a car crash. IDIOMS see BLOWn. PHRASALVERBS soften sb<->up (informal) 1 to try to persuade sb to do sth for you by being very nice to them before you ask them: Potential customers are softened up with free gifts before the sales talk. 2 to make an enemy weaker and easier to attack