unstiffening
Losing rigid quality
Unstiffening is the process of becoming less stiff or rigid, or causing something to lose its stiffness.
Muscles unstiffen after a warm bath; joints unstiffen with movement.
The word applies equally to physical flexibility and to manner: His posture unstiffening, he finally relaxed into the conversation.
Reducing tightness or tension
- softeningBecoming less firm
- limberingBecoming more flexible
- relaxingBecoming less tense
- thawingFrozen matter liquefying
warming · unbending · flexing · stretching · yielding · unknotting · unkinking · decompressing
Frozen matter liquefying
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- relaxingBecoming less tense
- opening upBecoming less guarded
- mellowingGradually becoming softer
softening · defrosting · unbending · loosening up · easing · breaking the ice · warming up
Becoming less firm
- pliabilityAbility to bend easily
- malleabilityCapacity for deformation without breaking
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- supplenessCapacity to bend easily
elasticity · plasticity · bendability · give · stretch · yielding · conditioning · treating
Reducing strain or difficulty
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- alleviatingMaking less severe
- releasingAllowing to escape
- relaxingBecoming less tense
unwinding · decompressing · loosening · calming · settling · comforting · unburdening · destressing
loosening
Reducing tightness or tension
thawing · warming · unbending · flexing · stretching · yielding · unknotting · unkinking · decompressing · uncramping
thawing
Frozen matter liquefying
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- relaxingBecoming less tense
- opening upBecoming less guarded
mellowing · softening · defrosting · unbending · loosening up · easing · breaking the ice · warming up
softening
Becoming less firm
- pliabilityAbility to bend easily
- malleabilityCapacity for deformation without breaking
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
suppleness · elasticity · plasticity · bendability · give · stretch · yielding · conditioning · treating · moisturizing
easing
Reducing strain or difficulty
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- alleviatingMaking less severe
- releasingAllowing to escape
relaxing · unwinding · decompressing · loosening · calming · settling · comforting · unburdening · destressing
unstiffeningstiffening
Becoming less pliable
hardening · rigidifying · solidifying · tensing · tightening
unstiffeningstiffening
Becoming less pliable
hardening · rigidifying · ossifying · tightening up · digging in
stiff, stiffen, stiffness, stiffened, stiffly, stiffening, stiffens, stiffer, stiffener