What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Soften vs Soothe - What's the difference?

soften | soothe |

As verbs the difference between soften and soothe

is that soften is to make something soft or softer while soothe is (obsolete) to prove true; verify; confirm as true.

soften

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • 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.
  • * '>citation
  • To become soft or softer
  • The butter softened as it warmed up.

    soothe

    English

    Verb

    (sooth)
  • (obsolete) To prove true; verify; confirm as true.
  • (obsolete) To confirm the statements of; maintain the truthfulness of (a person); bear out.
  • (obsolete) To assent to; yield to; humour by agreement or concession.
  • To keep in good humour; wheedle; cajole; flatter.
  • To restore to ease, comfort, or tranquility; relieve; calm; quiet; refresh.
  • * 2013 , Daniel Taylor, Andros Townsend calms England's nerves in taming of Montenegro'' (in ''The Guardian , 11 October 2013)[http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/11/england-montenegro-world-cup-qualifier]
  • Yet Wayne Rooney scored at a good time, three minutes after the restart, to soothe any gathering nerves and the night can ultimately be chalked off as one of the finest occasions of Hodgson's 17 months in the job.
  • To allay; assuage; mitigate; soften.
  • (rare) To smooth over; render less obnoxious.
  • To calm or placate someone or some situation.
  • To ease or relieve pain or suffering.
  • To temporise by assent, concession, flattery, or cajolery.
  • To bring comfort or relief.
  • Derived terms

    * soothing