/'sɒfn; [US] 'sɔ:fn; `sɔfən/
v [I, Tn]
1 (cause sth to) become soft or softer （使某事物）软化, 变温和, 变柔和, 变软弱
*The butter will soften out of the fridge. 黄油从冰箱中取出会变软.
* The lampshade will soften the light. 这个灯罩能使光线柔和一些.
2 (phr v) soften sb up
(a) weaken (an enemy's position) by shelling or bombing it heavily 用火力削弱（敌方阵地）.
(b) (infml 口) make sb unable or less able to resist an attack or persuasion to buy sth, etc 瓦解或削弱某人的抗拒力（以便进攻或劝其购买某物等）
*Housewives were softened up with free gifts before the salesmen began the hard talking. 推销员先用赠品打动家庭妇女的心, 接着就开始直截了当的兜售了.

v [I and T]
alsosoften up
to become less hard or rough, or make something less hard or rough
≠ harden
　Use moisturizer to soften your skin.
　Cook until the onion softens.
if your attitude softens, or if something softens it, it becomes less strict and more sympathetic
≠ harden
　The government has softened its stance on public spending.
soften towards
　I felt that he was beginning to soften towards me.
to make the effect of something seem less unpleasant or severe, or to become less unpleasant or severe
soften the blow/impact
　The impact of the tax was softened by large tax-free allowances.
if your expression or voice softens, or if something softens it, you look or sound kinder and more gentle
≠ harden
　His voice softened as he spoke to her.
to make the shape or colour of something look less severe
　Climbing plants soften the outline of a fence.
soften up [soften sb/sth⇔up] phr v
informal to be nice to someone before you ask them to do something, so that they will agree to help you
　She was just softening me up.
to make an enemy weaker so that they are easier to attack
　Use artillery to soften up the enemy forces.
to make something less hard or rough