Refrigeration delayed the softening of the fruit.    From Wordnet, Princeton University. 

He observed the softening of iron by heat.    From Wordnet, Princeton University. 

He kept grinning at me, the expression softening his rough features into something more pleasant—and enticing.    From Wordnik.com.  [Venom] Reference

He looked at Caitlyn and smiled, his expression softening.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Laird Who Loved Me] Reference

For a long moment, he merely scowled at her, but then he rubbed his chin, his expression softening.    From Wordnik.com.  [Much Ado About Marriage] Reference

This was under the heading of what I said earlier, what I call softening up the South for righteous.    From Wordnik.com.  [Oral History Interview with Stetson Kennedy, May 11, 1990. Interview A-0354. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007)] Reference

Is my brain softening, or what can be the trouble?.    From Wordnik.com.  [Man's Rights: or, How Would You Like It?] Reference

He felt his expression softening, and for once, he let it.    From Wordnik.com.  [Exile's Honor]

Mekeal nodded, his expression softening a little with honest concern.    From Wordnik.com.  [Magic's Promise]

He smiled, the expression softening his very handsome but rather dangerous-looking face.    From Wordnik.com.  [Hunting Fear]

From this group you will find your leaders but it will take some softening from the hard-liners.    From Wordnik.com.  [Wonk Room » Dershowitz: Palestinians ‘Played A Significant Role In The Holocaust’] Reference

The victory went a long way in softening the embarrassment from last week's 41-0 loss at Jacksonville.    From Wordnik.com.  [USATODAY.com - Football - Miami vs. N.Y. Jets] Reference

'I don't like badly behaved dogs,' said Mrs Landers, her expression softening as she glanced at the Labrador.    From Wordnik.com.  [No Laughing Matter]

'I thought,' said Indiana, again softening her fine eyes, 'you had quite forgot me, and all the vows you made to me.'.    From Wordnik.com.  [Camilla: or, A Picture of Youth] Reference

The talk of the market softening is a reflection of this, and of the fact that one does not see big growth in this area of the market.    From Wordnik.com.  [Writer Unboxed » Blog Archive » AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Madeline Hunter] Reference

Brickworks said it expects to post another "solid result" in the coming year, despite a short-term softening in the demand for housing.    From Wordnik.com.  [Latest News - Yahoo!7 News] Reference

"But why did the Señoritas laugh when they saw me?" persisted Chiquita, her expression softening a bit, a faint smile illumining her face.    From Wordnik.com.  [When Dreams Come True] Reference

Brickworks Ltd has forecast a short-term softening in demand as work from the school building and first homebuyer programs comes to an end.    From Wordnik.com.  [egoli.com.au] Reference

It also refers to a softening of the heart and spirit.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Bushman Way of Tracking God] Reference

She turned a bright pink, a dreamy expression softening her eyes.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Seduction Of Sara]

I believe he has got what the doctors call softening of the brain.    From Wordnik.com.  [Witness to the Deed] Reference

Their entire strategy in Vietnam is based on the idea of softening up Vietnam.    From Wordnik.com.  [13TH ANNIVERSARY OF ATTACK ON MONCADA BARRACKS] Reference

The girl clasped her hands beneath her chin, a dreamy expression softening her features.    From Wordnik.com.  [One Night Of Scandal]

Democrats have been toying with the idea of softening the rules to ease the logjam in the.    From Wordnik.com.  [TIME.com: Top Stories] Reference

I take it that's part of the so-called softening of the terrain when these Israeli troops move in.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Aug 1, 2006] Reference

So I think she's kind of softening her edges a little bit.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Jul 17, 2003] Reference

In any society we see some sort of "softening" of history.    From Wordnik.com.  [Musings of a Drunken Monk: I wonder ...] Reference

He denied the CP was "softening" its position on confederalism.    From Wordnik.com.  [ANC Daily News Briefing] Reference

Now that he's trying run for office he's "softening" his stance.    From Wordnik.com.  [Fueling speculation, Dobbs appears to soften on key issue] Reference

For such a purpose, the "softening" rather than the "soft" point, may be used.    From Wordnik.com.  [Every Step in Canning] Reference

I was intrigued by the BBC reporters view that Hamas are "softening" their line.    From Wordnik.com.  [Biased BBC] Reference

If you want to soften the HD video in your camcorder, see if it has a "softening" setting.    From Wordnik.com.  [With more HD camcorders comes more detail and anxiety] Reference

While some zealots have accused Subaru of "softening" the car, I think they are exaggerating.    From Wordnik.com.  [Still No Frills on Subaru's Cult Car] Reference

MMDA 'softening' on buses as MRT, LRT fare hike looms.    From Wordnik.com.  [WN.com - Articles related to FEATURE : Historic Manila wants tourists to see past the decay] Reference

All this has led to some kind of softening in pulp prices.    From Wordnik.com.  [Moneycontrol Top Headlines] Reference

I applaud the liberal democrats for "softening" the Tories.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Guardian World News] Reference

So, I'm curious, do you actually see the consumer kind of softening here?.    From Wordnik.com.  [SeekingAlpha.com: Home Page] Reference

Ginch Gonch: I want to clarify the situation regarding the "softening" of our brand image.    From Wordnik.com.  [UndiesDrawer] Reference

But he was generally bullish about Aspen's future despite what he foresees as "softening" of.    From Wordnik.com.  [Glenwood Springs Post Independent - Top Stories] Reference

I have often observed that the Season as it goes on produces a kind of softening of the brain.    From Wordnik.com.  [An Ideal Husband] Reference