soften

verb

1. （使）变软，软化
   to become, or to make sth softer
   1. Fry the onions until they soften.
      把洋葱炒软。
   2. a lotion to soften the skin
      润肤露
   3. Linseed oil will soften stiff leather.
      亚麻籽油可软化僵硬的皮革。
2. （使）柔和，和缓
   to become or to make sth less bright, rough or strong
   1. Trees soften the outline of the house.
      树木使房子的轮廓显得柔和。
3. （使）态度缓和，变温和，变宽厚
   to become or to make sb/sth more sympathetic and less severe or critical
   1. She felt herself softening towards him.
      她感觉自己对他逐渐温和起来。
   2. His face softened as he looked at his son.
      他看着儿子，紧绷的面孔松弛下来。
   3. She softened her tone a little.
      她稍稍缓和了一下语气。
4. 减轻；减缓；削弱
   to reduce the force or the unpleasant effects of sth
   1. Airbags are designed to soften the impact of a car crash.
      气囊用来减轻汽车碰撞的冲击力。

1. V-ERG (使)变软;(使)变柔软;(使)变柔和
   If you soften something or if it softens, it becomes less hard, stiff, or firm.
   1. Soften the butter mixture in a small saucepan...
      在小平底锅里将黄油混合物化软。
   2. Fry for about 4 minutes, until the onion has softened.
      煎 4 分钟左右，直到洋葱变软。
2. VERB (使)(影响等)减弱，减轻
   If one thing softens the damaging effect of another thing, it makes the effect less severe.
   1. There were also pledges to soften the impact of the subsidy cuts on the poorer regions.
      他们还承诺要减轻削减补贴给较贫困地区带来的影响。
   2. ...He could not think how to soften the blow of what he had to tell her.
      他要告诉她的事对她打击很大，但他又想不出怎么说才能减轻这种打击。
3. V-ERG (使)(态度等)缓和
   If you soften your position, if your position softens, or if you soften, you become more sympathetic and less hostile or critical towards someone or something.
   1. The letter shows no sign that the Americans have softened their position...
      信里没有任何迹象表明美国人的态度已有所缓和。
   2. His party's policy has softened a lot in recent years...
      他所在的政党近些年的政策已经变得温和多了。
   3. Livy felt herself soften towards Caroline.
      莉薇觉得自己对卡罗琳的态度变温和了。
4. V-ERG (使)变温和;(使)和蔼
   If your voice or expression softens or if you soften it, it becomes much more gentle and friendly.
   1. All at once, Mick's serious expression softened into a grin...
      米克严肃的表情一下子变成了笑脸。
   2. She did not smile or soften her voice.
      她没有笑，声音也没有温和起来。
5. VERB 使(灯光、颜色、声音等)减弱;使变柔和
   If you soften something such as light, a colour, or a sound, you make it less bright or harsh.
   1. We wanted to soften the light without destroying the overall effect of space...
      我们希望在不破坏整体空间效果的同时，使灯光柔和一些。
   2. Stark concrete walls have been softened by a show of fresh flowers.
      鲜花摆上之后，突兀的混凝土墙便显得柔和起来。
6. VERB 使(皮肤)变得光滑柔软
   Something that softens your skin makes it very smooth and pleasant to touch.
   1. ...products designed to moisturize and soften the skin.
      使肌肤滋润柔滑的产品

1. Senator Sarbanes expressed concern that programs designed to soften the blow of unemployment are not working well.
   旨在缓解失业冲击的项目进展得并不太顺利，参议员萨班斯对此表示关切。
2. The garden has an informal feel to soften the architectural lines of the conservatory.
   花园有一种随意的风格，从而使温室的建筑轮廓显得柔和了。
3. To soften a formal look, Caroline recommends ethnic blouses.
   为了看上去不过于正式，卡罗琳建议穿有民族色彩的上衣。
4. If your skin is dry, you have to slather on moisturiser to soften it.
   如果你皮肤比较干燥，就得多涂些滋润保湿滋润
5. Soften the butter mixture in a small saucepan
   在小平底锅里将黄油混合物化软。
6. Fry for about 4 minutes, until the onion has softened.
   煎4分钟左右，直到洋葱变软。
7. There were also pledges to soften the impact of the subsidy cuts on the poorer regions.
   他们还承诺要减轻削减补贴给较贫困地区带来的影响。
8. The letter shows no sign that the Americans have softened their position
   信里没有任何迹象表明美国人的态度已有所缓和。
9. His party's policy has softened a lot in recent years
   他所在的政党近些年的政策已经变得温和多了。
10. Livy felt herself soften towards Caroline.
    莉薇觉得自己对卡罗琳的态度变温和了。
11. All at once, Mick's serious expression softened into a grin
    米克严肃的表情一下子变成了笑脸。
12. She did not smile or soften her voice.
    她没有笑，声音也没有温和起来。
13. We wanted to soften the light without destroying the overall effect of space
    我们希望在不破坏整体空间效果的同时，使灯光柔和一些。
14. Stark concrete walls have been softened by a show of fresh flowers.
    鲜花摆上之后，突兀的混凝土墙便显得柔和起来。
15. If they'd treated you well it was just to soften you up.
    他们要是对你好，也不过是为了讨好你罢了。
16. Unfortunately, as a standard mattress wears, the springs soften and so do not support your spine
    遗憾的是，当一张标准床垫用旧后，弹簧就会变软而无法支撑你的脊椎。
17. Plastics will soften when exposed to heat.
    塑料适当加热就可以软化。
18. All the while, soften her up by telling her how much you admire her dedication or analytical prowess.
    并且你可以通过一直告诉她你有多佩服她的付出和分析能力来让她软化。
19. Regular nail care is important and occasionally do apply cuticle oil to moisturize and soften your cuticles and nails.
    经常指甲护理很重要，偶尔也适用于石油，角质层湿润和柔软的角质层和指甲。
20. We'll soften you up, I promise you.
    我向你保证，我们会让你老实的。
21. I also like to use this Brush to soften edges.
    我喜欢使用这个笔刷来制作柔和的边缘。
22. The more you soften a request, the more polite it becomes.
    你愈使请求柔婉，请求就愈变为客气。
23. Let them soften and develop their full color indoors.
    在室内，让它们舒服和完全生长出它们的颜色。
24. It may tender the meat in canned ham and soften the skin of horse bean in canned horse bean.
    它可以在招标罐头火腿肉罐头和软化的蚕豆蚕豆皮肤。
25. The material has begun to soften up.
    材料开始变软了。
26. Soften the temples and the muscles around the eyes, allowing them to sink back into the sockets.
    软化太阳穴和眼睛周围的肌肉，让它们沉陷入后面的腔穴中。
27. The navy's job is to go in before the invasion and soften up the beach.
    海军的任务就是在入侵和海滩软化前登陆成功。
28. Okay, I was trying to soften you up.
    好了，我那是在软化你。
29. This liquid will soften your laundry.
    这种液体将使你的衣服变软。
30. You can also soften skin with the click of your mouse.
    您还可以软化皮肤与点击你的鼠标。

soften sb↔up

1. 打动；诱导；拉拢
   to try to persuade sb to do sth for you by being very nice to them before you ask them
   1. Fry the onions until they soften.
      把洋葱炒软。
   2. a lotion to soften the skin
      润肤露
   3. Linseed oil will soften stiff leather.
      亚麻籽油可软化僵硬的皮革。
2. 削弱，瓦解（敌人力量）
   to make an enemy weaker and easier to attack
   1. Trees soften the outline of the house.
      树木使房子的轮廓显得柔和。

v.

soften/cushion the blow

• 缓解；缓和
  to make sth that is unpleasant seem less unpleasant and easier to accept

verb

1. become soft or softer
   1. The bread will soften if you pour some liquid on it

2. make soft or softer
   1. This liquid will soften your laundry

3. lessen in force or effect
   1. soften a shock
   2. break a fall

   Synonym:    dampendampweakenbreak

4. make less severe or harsh
   1. He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears

   Synonym:    mincemoderate

5. protect from impact
   1. cushion the blow

   Synonym:    cushionbuffer

6. make (images or sounds) soft or softer

7. give in, as to influence or pressure

   Synonym:    yieldrelent