soften up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“All these factors slow or stop any future beef herd expansion in the country, and limiting the beef supply will not soften up retail prices for the consumer.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 18, 2026
The scariest thing for the rest of the NFL is that these Seahawks might not soften up anytime soon.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 9, 2026
That could be because UnitedHealth did not actually soften up.
From Slate ● May 14, 2025
His real job was to soften up the world’s richest market, the United States, to embrace soccer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 29, 2022
Ms. Washington gave me a minute to soften up and give in, because she didn’t know about my heart and its resolution, and that she was dealing with a mighty and unbending will.
From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan
![]()