- softness
- noun1. 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, ↑pulpiness2. poor physical condition; being out of shape or out of condition (as from a life of ease and luxury)• Syn: ↑unfitness• Hypernyms: ↑ill health, ↑unhealthiness, ↑health problem• Hyponyms:↑infirmity, ↑frailty, ↑debility, ↑feebleness, ↑frailness, ↑valetudinarianism, ↑disability, ↑disablement, ↑handicap, ↑impairment3. 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: ↑soft4. a state of declining economic condition-orders have recently picked up after a period of extreme softness
-he attributes the disappointing results to softness in the economy
• Derivationally related forms: ↑soft• Hypernyms: ↑economic condition5. 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, ↑pianissimo6. a visual property that is subdued and free from brilliance or glare-the softness of the morning sky
• Derivationally related forms: ↑soft• Hypernyms: ↑visual property7. 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• Hypernyms: ↑manner, ↑personal manner8. the trait of being effeminate (derogatory of a man)-the students associated science with masculinity and arts with effeminacy
-Spartans accused Athenians of effeminateness
-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: ↑emasculation9. 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, ↑opaqueness10. a disposition to be lenient in judging others-softness is not something permitted of good leaders
• Derivationally related forms: ↑soft• Hypernyms: ↑indulgence, ↑lenience, ↑leniency
Useful english dictionary. 2012.