Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

soften the ground

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.35 in modern English

Syllables: soft-en the -ground
IPA

23

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

3

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To prepare or create favorable conditions (for something), especially with the intent of improving public acceptance of the forthcoming occurrence.

Example Sentences

"A steady rhythm of leaks and informed speculation prepared America for the President's Lewinsky confessional. . . . "The leaks definitely softened the ground for Clinton," says TIME White House correspondent Jay Branegan."
"Bowen and the prime minister began to soften the ground for the tobacco tax hike on Wednesday in separate events in Sydney and Brisbane."
"Mr. Skolnik . . . has become the man you go to if you are on the left and want to leverage the power of celebrity and the reach of digital media to soften the ground for social change."

Inflected Forms

softens the ground (present, singular) softening the ground (participle, present) softened the ground (participle, past) softened the ground (past) soften up the ground (alternative)

Phrases

pave the way

Frequently Paired Words

pave the way

Questions

What does soften the ground mean?: To prepare or create favorable conditions (for something), especially with the intent of improving public acceptance of the forthcoming occurrence.

How to pronounce soften the ground

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