softness

noun

1. the property of giving little resistance to pressure and being easily cut or molded (Freq. 2)

• Ant: ↑hardness

• Derivationally related forms: ↑soft

• Hypernyms: ↑consistency, ↑consistence, ↑eubstance, ↑body

• Hyponyms:

↑compressibility, ↑squeezability, ↑sponginess, ↑downiness, ↑featheriness, ↑fluffiness, ↑flabbiness, ↑limpness, ↑flaccidity, ↑mushiness, ↑pulpiness

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

• Syn: ↑unfitness

• Ant: ↑fitness (for: ↑unfitness)

• Derivationally related forms: ↑soft, ↑unfit (for: ↑unfitness)

• Hypernyms: ↑ill health, ↑unhealthiness, ↑health problem

• Hyponyms:

↑infirmity, ↑frailty, ↑debility, ↑feebleness, ↑frailness, ↑valetudinarianism, ↑disability, ↑disablement, ↑handicap, ↑impairment

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

-

the day's heat faded into balminess

-

the climate had the softness of the south of France

• Syn: ↑balminess

• Derivationally related forms: ↑soft

• Hypernyms: ↑mildness, ↑clemency

4. a state of declining economic condition

-

orders have recently picked up after a period of extreme softness

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he attributes the disappointing results to softness in the economy

• Derivationally related forms: ↑soft

• Hypernyms: ↑economic condition

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

-

and in softness almost beyond hearing

• Ant: ↑loudness

• Derivationally related forms: ↑soft

• Hypernyms: ↑sound property

• Hyponyms: ↑faintness, ↑decrescendo, ↑diminuendo, ↑piano, ↑pianissimo

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

-

the softness of the morning sky

• Derivationally related forms: ↑soft

• Hypernyms: ↑visual property

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

-

his fingers have learned gentleness

-

suddenly her gigantic power melted into softness for the baby

-

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

• Syn: ↑gentleness, ↑mildness

• Derivationally related forms: ↑mild (for: ↑mildness), ↑soft, ↑gentle (for: ↑gentleness)

• Hypernyms: ↑manner, ↑personal manner

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

-

the students associated science with masculinity and arts with effeminacy

-

Spartans accused Athenians of effeminateness

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

• Syn: ↑effeminacy, ↑effeminateness, ↑sissiness, ↑womanishness, ↑unmanliness

• Derivationally related forms: ↑unmanly (for: ↑unmanliness), ↑womanish (for: ↑womanishness), ↑sissy (for: ↑sissiness), ↑effeminate (for: ↑effeminateness)

• Usage Domain: ↑disparagement, ↑depreciation, ↑derogation

• Hypernyms: ↑femininity, ↑muliebrity

• Hyponyms: ↑emasculation

9. the quality of being indistinct and without sharp outlines

• Syn: ↑indistinctness, ↑blurriness, ↑fogginess, ↑fuzziness

• Ant: ↑sharpness, ↑distinctness (for: ↑indistinctness)

• Derivationally related forms: ↑fuzzy (for: ↑fuzziness), ↑foggy (for: ↑fogginess), ↑blurry (for: ↑blurriness), ↑indistinct (for: ↑indistinctness)

• Hypernyms: ↑opacity, ↑opaqueness

• Hyponyms: ↑dimness, ↑faintness, ↑vagueness

10. a disposition to be lenient in judging others

-

softness is not something permitted of good leaders

• Derivationally related forms: ↑soft

• Hypernyms: ↑indulgence, ↑lenience, ↑leniency