soften
US
UK soften vi: (physically: become softer)
SC 变软 biàn ruǎn
Soak the apricots in water till they soften.
soften vi: figurative (emotionally: become less harsh)
SC 软化 ruǎn huà
TC 軟化
TC 軟化
SC 变温和 ruǎn huà ，biàn wēn hé
She was angry last night but this morning she's softened.
soften [sth] vtr: (make physically softer)
SC 使…柔软
TC 使…柔軟
TC 使…柔軟
Soften the cheese by warming it in the oven.
soften [sth] vtr: figurative (effect: make less severe)
SC 减缓 jiǎn huǎn
SC 削弱 jiǎn huǎn，xuē ruò
TC 削弱
TC 削弱
SC 降低 jiǎn huǎn，jiàng dī
TC 降低
TC 降低
Some judges want to soften the punishment for minor drug crimes.
soften [sb] up, soften up [sb] vtr phrasal sep: (make more favorable to you) (指人的态度等)
SC 软化 ruǎn huà
TC 軟化
TC 軟化
SC 使...柔和
SC 使...心软
SC 讨好 ruǎn huà ，tǎo hǎo
The teenager did all the housework in an attempt to soften her parents up so they'd let her go to the party.
cushion the blow, soften the blow v expr: figurative (make impact of [sth] less harsh)
SC 减轻打击
SC 缓解影响