Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - soften

~ v 1 to become softer or make something softer  (Choose a good moisturizer to soften and protect your skin | Cook until the onion has softened.) 2 if your attitude softens, or if something softens it, it becomes less strict and more sympathetic  (The British position on textile imports is softening. | Local police have softened their attitude towards young people who live on the streets) 3 soften the blow/impact etc to make the effect of something less severe  (The minister may try to soften the blow of pay freezes by announcing a cut in interest rates.) 4 if your expression or voice softens, or if something softens it, you look or sound kinder and more gentle  (His voice softened when he spoke to her.)  (- opposite harden (2)) soften sb/sth up phr v 1 informal to be nice to someone before you ask them to do something so that they will be ready to help you  (You'll have to soften Alison up before you ask to borrow her car.) 2 to make an enemy's defences weaker so that they will be easier to attack, especially by bombing them