This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Saturday, August 8, 2026 (3 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Saturday puzzles are the hardest of the week and themeless, so clues are often deliberately misleading.
Answer length: 7 squares
First letter
S _ _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
S _ _ _ _ _ S
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About the answer
SOFTENS as a word: (transitive) To make something soft or softer; (transitive) To make less harsh.
SOFTENS has been an answer 2 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since October 29, 2025.
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