英 [ˈsɒf(ə)nɪŋ] 美 [ˈsɔːfnɪŋ]
n. [油脂]软化；变软
v. 使……变柔软（soften 的 ing 形式）
soften /ˈsɒfən/ TEM4 [ softening softened softens ]
及物动词/不及物动词 If you soften something or if it softens, it becomes less hard, stiff, or firm. 使变软; 变软
Soften the butter mixture in a small saucepan.
在小平底锅里将黄油混合物弄软。
及物动词 If one thing softens the damaging effect of another thing, it makes the effect less severe. 使减弱
There were also pledges to soften the impact of the subsidy cuts on the poorer regions.
也有保证要减轻消减给较贫困地区补贴所造成的冲击。
及物动词/不及物动词 If you soften your position, if your position softens, or if you soften, you become more sympathetic and less hostile or critical. 使变温和; 变温和
The letter shows no sign that the Germans have softened their position.
这封信没有任何迹象表明德国人的态度已有所缓和。
His party's policy has softened a lot in recent years.
近年来他所在政党的政策变得温和了许多。
及物动词/不及物动词 If your voice or expression softens or if you soften it, it becomes much more gentle and friendly. 使温和; 变温和
All at once, Mick's serious expression softened into a grin.
顷刻间，米克严肃的表情和蔼起来，咧嘴笑了。
及物动词 If you soften something such as light, a colour, or a sound, you make it less bright or harsh. 使 (光、颜色或声音) 变柔和
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光线柔和些。
及物动词 Something that softens your skin makes it very smooth and pleasant to touch. 使 (皮肤) 变得光滑柔软
...products designed to moisturize and soften the skin.
…为滋润柔滑肌肤而设计的产品。
软化退火
软化
软化
软化
金川矿区岩石的膨胀和软化特性试验及分析 - 中南大学学报（自然科学版、英文版） 关键字: 岩石；膨胀；软化；含水率[gap=1435]Key words: rock; swelling; softening; rate of water content
... soaking均热处置惩罚 softening软化退火 solution treatment固溶化热处置惩罚spheroidizing球状化退火 ...
... 软焊料，锡焊料solder 软化处理softening 软化点saggingpoint ...
全日股指多数时间持续震荡走高，但于尾市一小时表现回软(Softening)，有所回落，收盘日K线形成留较长上影线的小阳线。两市交投相比周二有所放大。
[油脂]软化；变软
She felt herself softening towards him.
她感觉自己对他逐渐温和起来。
If a discussion starts to become worse, try to change it by softening your tone or lowering your voice.
如果讨论开始变得更糟，试着通过柔化语调或降低声音来改变现状。
Hard times continued to revive popular demands for regulating business and softening the harsh edges of laissez-faire capitalism.
艰难的时期继续恢复了人们对规范商业和缓和自由资本主义的尖锐的要求。
He says Mister Clinton's visit could be seen as the United States softening its policy on North Korea.
VOA : special.2009.08.08
So in 1642, you see Milton softening a bit, in part because he's interested in getting married himself and, in fact he's married within a month of the actual publication of this treatise.
所以在1642年，弥尔顿变柔和了点，部分原因是他开始关注结婚，事实上,他在这篇论文出版的一个月内结婚了。
弥尔顿课程节选 : 耶鲁公开课
Religion had to bring a softening effect upon against the violent and bestial character of the early Romans. But for us today, Machiavelli writes, religion has to serve the opposite purpose.
宗教必须带来一种缓和效应，用以针对,早期罗马人的野蛮残忍的性格,但是对于今天的我们来说，马基雅维利写道，宗教不得不为相反的目的服务。
政治哲学导论课程节选 : 耶鲁公开课
Drug policy director Gil Kerlikowske says recent findings have suggested a softening in the concerns of young people about the risks of drugs.
VOA : special.2010.10.11
Certainly, any perceived "softening" at this volatile juncture would severely dent his stature as a leader.
Worse, this softening was not geographic, as Intel's had been in Europe, but everywhere.
Yet there was light, too, and it seemed to be softening those things I looked at.