softness
Pillow's defining quality
Softness is the quality of yielding easily to pressure or touch—the opposite of hardness.
A pillow has softness; so does cashmere, a baby's skin, or ripe fruit.
The meaning extends to gentleness of manner or tone: the softness in her voice.
Softness can suggest weakness or lack of resolve: His critics mistook diplomacy for softness.
Smooth, lustrous texture
- velvetThick-pile textile
- fluffinessSoft, airy quality
- smoothnessFreedom from irregularity
- plushnessSoft, rich texture
downiness · feathery · fuzziness · suppleness · sponginess · cushioning · wooliness · creaminess
Comfortable warm intimacy
- snugnessComfortable tightness or warmth
- warmthHeat you feel
- cushionStuffed fabric for comfort
- plushThick-pile soft fabric
relaxation · ease · soothing · nestling · repose · pampering · restfulness · contentment
Gentle, caring quality
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- empathySharing another's emotions
- warmthHeat you feel
affection · caring · nurturing · sensitivity · patience · understanding · sympathy · consoling
Reduced in intensity
subtle · delicate · light · temperate · understated · pale · hushed · quiet
Able to bend freely
- bendableAble to curve
- suppleFlexing without damage
- yieldingBending under pressure
- malleableCapable of being shaped
ductile · pliant · elastic · resilient · limber · lithe · workable · formable
Tolerant of faults
- permissiveTolerant, lacking strictness
- indulgentToo willing to yield
- forgivingInclined to pardon offenses
- tolerantAccepting of differences
easygoing · accommodating · undemanding · merciful · clement · relaxed · flexible · understanding
silkiness
Smooth, lustrous texture
- velvetThick-pile textile
- fluffinessSoft, airy quality
- smoothnessFreedom from irregularity
plushness · downiness · feathery · fuzziness · suppleness · sponginess · cushioning · wooliness · creaminess · buttery
coziness
Comfortable warm intimacy
plush · relaxation · ease · soothing · nestling · repose · pampering · restfulness · contentment · well-being
tenderness
Gentle, caring quality
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- empathySharing another's emotions
warmth · affection · caring · nurturing · sensitivity · patience · understanding · sympathy · consoling · benevolence
subdued
Reduced in intensity
gentle · subtle · delicate · light · temperate · understated · pale · hushed · quiet · dim
flexible
Able to bend freely
malleable · ductile · pliant · elastic · resilient · limber · lithe · workable · formable · moldable
lenient
Tolerant of faults
- permissiveTolerant, lacking strictness
- indulgentToo willing to yield
- forgivingInclined to pardon offenses
tolerant · easygoing · accommodating · undemanding · merciful · clement · relaxed · flexible · understanding · patient
- touchtouch, feel, touching, caress, feeling
- gentle qualitiesgentleness, kindness, tenderness, calmness, warmth
- gentle traitskindness, patience, warmth, empathy, compassion
- physical propertiessolid, texture, weight, mass, surface
- Produce Qualitiesfreshness, ripeness, firmness, juiciness, sweetness
- quality statefreshness, ripeness, cleanliness, dirtiness, purity
softnessloudness
Perceived sound intensity
volume · intensity · shrillness · blare · stridency
softnesssharpness
Keenness of edge, mind, or image
distinctness · clarity · crispness · definition · harshness
soft, soften, softly, softened, softening, software, softer, softest, softener