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amolecer-se

[a.mo.le.ˈser.sə]
verb
to soften; to become soft; to weaken
1. to become soft or softer in texture or consistency
The butter will soften in the sun.
A manteiga vai se amolecer ao sol.
2. to become emotionally weakened or less firm in resolve
His resistance gradually weakened over time.
Sua resistência se amoleceu gradualmente com o tempo.
3. to become less harsh or severe
Her stern expression softened when she saw the child.
Sua expressão severa se amoleceu quando viu a criança.
Synonyms
abrandar-sesuavizar-seenfraquecer-secederrender-se
Antonyms
endurecersefortalecer-seendurecer-se

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
amolecer-se
commonly used in both formal and informal speech
São Paulo
amolecer-se
standard usage
Rio de Janeiro
amolecer-se
standard usage; sometimes used figuratively for emotional weakness
Portugal
amolecer-se
less commonly used; prefer 'suavizar-se' or 'abrandar-se'

Related Idioms & Phrases

amolecer o coração (to soften one's heart)
amolecer a resistência (to weaken resistance)
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