| 单词 | soften |
| 释义 | softensoften /ˈsɔfən/ ●●○ verb 1[intransitive, transitive] to become less hard or firm, or to make something less hard or firm SYN soften up OPP harden: Leave the butter at room temperature to soften. He squeezed the clay in his hands to soften it.2[transitive] to make something smoother and more pleasant to touch: Moisturizer softens and protects your skin.3[transitive] to make the bad effect of something less severe: Congress has decided to soften the projected welfare cuts.soften the blow/impact etc. If you have bad news to tell someone, try to find a way to soften the blow.4[intransitive, transitive] if your attitude, image, etc. softens, or if something softens it, it becomes less severe, less critical etc., and more sympathetic OPP harden: Lawmakers have softened their stance on immigration in recent months.5[intransitive, transitive] if your expression or voice softens, or if something softens it, you look or sound nicer and more gentle OPP harden: His voice softened when he spoke to her.soften up phrasal verb1 soften something ↔ up to become less hard or firm, or to make something less hard or firm SYN soften2 soften somebody ↔ up to be nice to someone before you ask him or her to do something so that he or she will agree to help you: I could tell he was trying to soften me up.3 soften somebody ↔ up to make an enemy’s defenses weaker so that they will be easier to attack, especially by bombing them |
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