softness — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The quality of being soft.

   Usage

   • Uncountable
   • usually

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   […] the informal dressers, with their "divided skirts" and stealthy advances towards confessed trouserdom, are the strong-minded sisterhood, to whom the softnesses of sex are abominations […]

Noun

1. the property of giving little resistance to pressure and being easily cut or molded

   Antonyms

   hardness

   Broader terms

   consistencyconsistencesubstancebody

2. poor physical condition; being out of shape or out of condition (as from a life of ease and luxury)

   Synonyms

   unfitness

   Broader terms

   ill healthunhealthinesshealth problem

3. the quality of weather that is deliciously mild and soothing

   Synonyms

   balminess

   Broader terms

   mildnessclemency

   Examples

   the day's heat faded into balminess

   the climate had the softness of the south of France

4. a state of declining economic condition

   Broader terms

   economic condition

   Examples

   orders have recently picked up after a period of extreme softness

   he attributes the disappointing results to softness in the economy

5. a sound property that is free from loudness or stridency

   Antonyms

   loudness

   Broader terms

   sound property

   Examples

   and in softness almost beyond hearing

6. a visual property that is subdued and free from brilliance or glare

   Broader terms

   visual property

   Examples

   the softness of the morning sky

7. acting in a manner that is gentle and mild and even-tempered

   Synonyms

   gentlenessmildness

   Broader terms

   mannerpersonal manner

   Examples

   his fingers have learned gentleness

   suddenly her gigantic power melted into softness for the baby

   More examples (1)

   even in the pulpit there are moments when mildness of manner is not enough

8. the quality of being indistinct and without sharp outlines

   Synonyms

   indistinctnessblurrinessfogginessfuzziness

   Antonyms

   sharpness

   Broader terms

   opacityopaqueness

9. the trait of being effeminate (derogatory of a man)

   Synonyms

   effeminacyeffeminatenesssissinesswomanishnessunmanliness

   Broader terms

   femininitymuliebrity

   Examples

   the students associated science with masculinity and arts with effeminacy

   Spartans accused Athenians of effeminateness

   More examples (1)

   he was shocked by the softness of the atmosphere surrounding the young prince, arising from the superfluity of the femininity that guided him

10. a disposition to be lenient in judging others

    Broader terms

    indulgencelenienceleniency

    Examples

    softness is not something permitted of good leaders