Which preposition to use with softened

into Occurrences 60%

The face softened into a great tenderness.

in Occurrences 51%

The girl turned to him for an instant, her expression softened in a look of gratitude.

with Occurrences 34%

Some parts of them seemed cut very clean and clear; but the outlines were all softened with a sort of mist and shadow, so that it looked greater and higher than it was.

to Occurrences 30%

And even in returning to their homes from their daily avocations, on Christmas Eve, how the most grasping, penurious souls of men will soften to the world's unfortunate!

at Occurrences 22%

"Those eyes of thine, which hold more hearts Than are the stars that heaven displays; That slay more Moors with shafts of love Than with his sword the master slays; "When will they soften at my smile?

of Occurrences 16%

The sublimity and splendor of the service struck them; but we do not ascribe to the mere external impression that softening of the hearts of these heathens, on which depended the conversion of a whole nation.

by Occurrences 13%

Truth stands revealed by a thrust, however cynical, when softened by challenging humor.

towards Occurrences 9%

" Peter looked at her with such despair and grief in his dark face that her heart almost softened towards him; but she hardened it again immediately.

for Occurrences 8%

"They are now in peace," says the Meaux Librarian"among those who love them, and whose affection tries, day by day, to soften for them the cruel memory of their Calvary and their exile.

under Occurrences 7%

But the stranger's hug was so close that at last stout William's muscles softened under his grip, and he gave a sob.

from Occurrences 5%

There as I past with careless steps and slow, The mingling notes came softened from below; The swain responsive as the milk-maid sung, The sober herd that lowed to meet their young, The noisy geese that gabbled o'er the pool, The playful children just let loose from school, The watch-dog's voice that bayed the whispering wind,

down Occurrences 5%

Therefore one softens down the ugly central fact of donkeyism, recommends study of good models,that writing verse should be an incidental occupation only, not interfering with the hoe, the needle, the lapstone, or the ledger,and, above all, that there should be no hurry in printing what is written.

in Occurrences 4%

The Grand Prince stood so much aloof from his subjects, surrounded by special advisers and court favorites, that even the language of remonstrance, which sometimes reached his ears, was so softened in its progress that its harshness was that of subservient admonition; and he was as little shaken by the smothered discontent of the people as they were roused by an open sacrifice of their interests.

on Occurrences 3%

Her voice softened on the "bye," and she hung up.

as Occurrences 3%

" "And where is she now, Pintal?" No anger now, no flush of excitement;the man, all softened as by an angel's touch, arose, and, with clasped hands and eyes upturned devoutly, smiled through big tears, and without a word answered me.

toward Occurrences 2%

He says it with such a pitiable air that Allan Woodcourt is softened toward him.

to Occurrences 2%

She was one of those limp, willowy creatures with the greediest eyes that she tried to keep softened to a baby stare, and couldn't, she was so crazy to get her hands on those hats.

during Occurrences 2%

Great holes, made by the feet of the enormous pachyderms, riddled a soil softened during the rainy season.

before Occurrences 2%

The outer envelope of the body is a deer-skin, probably dried in the usual way, and perhaps softened before its application by rubbing.

toward Occurrences 1%

She had heard a rumor of Roger's phantom, but thought it some strange delusion, or want of perception, in those who told her,being rather softened toward him with pity that he should be so little understood.

after Occurrences 1%

But what was your question?" "I was wondering whether the bitumen used by the Egyptian artists has ever been known to soften after this great lapse of time.

like Occurrences 1%

It was evening, and I could no longer see to draw, though pencillings of light still fell on the pavement through the larger windows, whose colors were softened like those of the lunar rainbow; and still the edges of the stalls were gilded with the last gleams of sunset, though the seats were filled already with those phantoms which twilight seems to create in such a place.

out Occurrences 1%

Not yet had he wholly forgotten; he was softened out of his bitterness; the burden of his jealousy and his anger fell for awhile from his shoulders.

through Occurrences 1%

A faint glow still lingered over the forest-hills, but down in the valley the dusky shades hid every vestige of life, though its sounds came up softened through the long space.

by Occurrences 1%

By virtue of his hardness, a white man makes his very laws and virtues instruments to crush and mulct his fellow-man; but negroes are so softened by untoward streaks of sympathy that they lose the very uses of their crimes.

Which preposition to use with  softened