Antonyms for soft

Grammar : Adj

Spell : sawft, soft

Phonetic Transcription : sɔft, sɒft

Definition of soft

Origin : Old English softe, earlier sefte, "gentle, mild-natured; easeful, comfortable, calm, undisturbed; luxurious," from West Germanic *samfti, from Proto-Germanic *samftijaz "level, even, smooth, gentle, soft" (cf. Old Saxon safti, Old High German semfti, German sanft; and from a variant form with -ch- for -f-, Middle Dutch sachte, Dutch zacht, German sacht), from root *som- "fitting, agreeable."
From c.1200 of material things, "not stiff, not coarse, fine; yielding to weight." From late 14c. of wind, rain, etc. Of sounds, "quiet, not loud," from early 13c. Of words, "mild, restrained; courteous" mid-14c. From late 14c. as "indulgent," also "physically feeble; easily overcome, lacking manly courage." From 1755 of water ("relatively free from mineral salts"), from 1789 of coal. Meaning "foolish, simple, silly" is attested from 1620s; earlier "easily moved or swayed; soft-hearted, sympathetic; docile" (early 13c.). In reference to drinks, "non-alcoholic" from 1880. As an adverb, Old English softe "gently;" late 13c. as "quietly." As an interjection from 1540s.
Soft landing is from 1958 and the U.S. space program. Adjective soft-core (in reference to pornography) is from 1966 (cf. hardcore). Soft rock as a music style is attested from 1969. Soft sell is from 1955. Soft-shoe as a dancing style is attested from 1927. Soft-boiled is from 1757 of eggs; of persons, ideas, etc., 1930 (cf. half-baked). Soft-focus (adj.) of camera shots is from 1917. The softer sex "women collectively" is from 1640s.

adj cushioned, squishy
adj faint, temperate
adj compassionate
adj out of condition
adj stupid

Example sentences :

She was quite still, and he noted from the change in her soft breathing that she slept.
Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson

These he drove firmly into the soft bottom of a shallow lake.
Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon

Andrew Lanning was town bred and soft of skin from the work at the forge.
Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand

"He's layin' down," said Bill Dozier, and his voice was soft but audible in the saloon.
Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand

She was saying in a thick, soft voice, "It was wrong of you, my darling."
Extract from : « Life and Death of Harriett Frean » by May Sinclair

But my husban' he's that soft hearted, miss, where anything i' the baby-line's a goin' on!
Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald

The banks of the river were steep, and consisted of soft clay.
Extract from : « Journal of an Expedition into the Interior of Tropical Australia » by Thomas Mitchell

So keen the blade, so soft the touch, the sleeper did not wake!
Extract from : « Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 6, May 7, 1870 » by Various

Cook the potatoes and onions in the water until they are soft.
Extract from : « Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 3 » by Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences

The carpet was soft and rich; it gave back no sound of footfall.
Extract from : « Ester Ried Yet Speaking » by Isabella Alden

Synonyms for soft

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019