Meaning

• To make something soft or softer.

  "Soften the butter before beating in the sugar."

• To undermine the morale of someone (often soften up).

  "Before the invasion, we softened up the enemy with the artillery."

• To make less harsh

  "Having second thoughts, I softened my criticism."

• To become soft or softer

  "The butter softened as it warmed up."