softening
Losing its edge
Softening is the process of becoming or making something softer—physically, emotionally, or in stance.
Water softening removes minerals that make water hard.
A softening of态度 means a position is becoming less rigid: There's been a softening in her attitude toward the proposal.
Facial features may show softening with age or relaxation.
In cooking, softening butter or vegetables prepares them for use.
Concern for others' distress
- empathySharing another's emotions
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
leniency · acceptance · patience · kindness · warmth · sensitivity · consideration · open-mindedness
Capable of bending easily
- suppleFlexing without damage
- malleableCapable of being shaped
- tenderSoft or sore
- plushThick-pile soft fabric
cushiony · spongy · fluffy · velvety · silky · smooth · buttery · creamy
State of being unwound
- alleviationReduction of intensity
- reliefEasing of distress
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- calmingInducing a settled state
mitigation · lessening · reduction · moderation · assuagement · lightening · dulling · palliation
Easing of strained relations
- thawingFrozen matter liquefying
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
mediation · peacebuilding · appeasement · conciliation · rapprochement · de-escalation · truce · ceasefire
Becoming ready to eat
- maturingDeveloping toward completion
- agingGrowing older over time
- sweeteningAdding substance for taste
- roundingAdjusting to simpler values
smoothing · gentling · moderating · tempering · seasoning · refining · settling · weathering
Heat-softening of metals
- temperingControlled heating and cooling
- quenchingRapid cooling process
- normalizingMaking conform to norms
- forgeFurnace for shaping metal
compassion
Concern for others' distress
- empathySharing another's emotions
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
forgiveness · leniency · acceptance · patience · kindness · warmth · sensitivity · consideration · open-mindedness · flexibility
pliable
Capable of bending easily
plush · cushiony · spongy · fluffy · velvety · silky · smooth · buttery · creamy · downy
relaxation
State of being unwound
- alleviationReduction of intensity
- reliefEasing of distress
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
calming · mitigation · lessening · reduction · moderation · assuagement · lightening · dulling · palliation · remission
détente
Easing of strained relations
- thawingFrozen matter liquefying
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
compromise · mediation · peacebuilding · appeasement · conciliation · rapprochement · de-escalation · truce · ceasefire · normalization
ripening
Becoming ready to eat
- maturingDeveloping toward completion
- agingGrowing older over time
- sweeteningAdding substance for taste
rounding · smoothing · gentling · moderating · tempering · seasoning · refining · settling · weathering
annealing
Heat-softening of metals
- temperingControlled heating and cooling
- quenchingRapid cooling process
- normalizingMaking conform to norms
forge · ductility · malleability · workability · stress-relief
- downplayingminimizing, downplay, trivializing, belittling, dismissing
- texture changessmoothing, roughening, hardening, wrinkling, cracking
- ripeningripening, maturation, color change, climacteric, starch conversion
- grape ripeningripening, maturation, color change, hang time
- heat processingheating, melting, annealing, tempering, quenching
- polymer damagedegradation, embrittlement, cracking, photodegradation, depolymerization
softeninghardening
Becoming less soft
stiffening · solidifying · firming · coagulating · setting
softeningintensifying
Increasing in strength
worsening · exacerbating · heightening · sharpening · hardening
softeninghardening
Becoming less soft
toughening · steeling · embittering · stiffening · digging in
- softening upReducing resistance gradually
- water softeningReducing dissolved minerals
- fabric softeningReducing textile rigidity
soft, soften, softly, softness, softened, softer, softens, softest, emollient