softenings
Processes of gentling
Softenings are instances or processes of becoming less hard, rigid, or severe.
The word covers physical changes—softenings in the butter as it warms—and figurative ones: softenings in her attitude toward the proposal, softenings in the housing market.
In medical contexts, softenings may refer to pathological tissue changes, as in softening of the brain.
Ability to bend easily
- supplenessCapacity to bend easily
- malleabilityCapacity for deformation without breaking
- yieldingBending under pressure
- cushioningSoftening force or fall
padding · damping · buffering · tenderizing · mellowing · relaxing · loosening · flexing
Reductions of severity
- lesseningsActs of becoming less
- diminishmentsActs of making smaller
- decreasesGrows smaller in amount
- weakeningsActs of reducing strength
fadings · ebbs · tapers · subsidences · abatements · dropoffs · declines · easings
Inducing a settled state
- consolationsThings that ease sorrow
- easingsGradual reductions of intensity
- settlingsMaterial that sinks down
- hushingQuieting or water-mining
Processes of melting ice
- unbendingRefusing to change position
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- concessionsThings granted or yielded
- capitulationsActs of giving in
climbdowns · reversals · about-faces · retreats · easings · flexings · accommodations
Strengthening through controlled heating
- dilutionsWeakened liquid mixtures
- modulationsControlled changes in intensity
- de-escalationsActs of reducing conflict
- hedgingsCautious limiting of statements
pliability
Ability to bend easily
- supplenessCapacity to bend easily
- malleabilityCapacity for deformation without breaking
- yieldingBending under pressure
cushioning · padding · damping · buffering · tenderizing · mellowing · relaxing · loosening · flexing · giving
alleviations
Reductions of severity
- lesseningsActs of becoming less
- diminishmentsActs of making smaller
- decreasesGrows smaller in amount
weakenings · fadings · ebbs · tapers · subsidences · abatements · dropoffs · declines · easings · lightnings
calming
Inducing a settled state
- consolationsThings that ease sorrow
- easingsGradual reductions of intensity
- settlingsMaterial that sinks down
thawings
Processes of melting ice
- unbendingRefusing to change position
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- concessionsThings granted or yielded
capitulations · climbdowns · reversals · about-faces · retreats · easings · flexings · accommodations
temperings
Strengthening through controlled heating
- dilutionsWeakened liquid mixtures
- modulationsControlled changes in intensity
- de-escalationsActs of reducing conflict
hedgings · curbing · checking · smoothings
softeningssolidifications
Acts of becoming firm
petrifications · ossifications · crystallizations · firming · calcifications
softeningsentrenchments
Fortified defensive positions
steeling · fortifications · embitterments · calcifications · digging in
softeningsintensifications
Increases in strength
sharpenings · amplifications · escalations · aggravations · exacerbations
- softening upReducing resistance gradually
- water softeningReducing dissolved minerals
- fabric softeningReducing textile rigidity