Hierarchy Tree
Broader categories (hypernyms)
More specific words (hyponyms)
Understanding Word Hierarchy
- ↑ Hypernyms (blue) are broader categories — “soften” is a type of these.
- ↓ Hyponyms (purple) are more specific — these are types of “soften”.
- → Click any word to explore its own hierarchy and navigate the vocabulary tree.
- → Use in writing — swap a vague word for a precise hyponym to make your writing more specific.
Frequently Asked Questions
What category does "soften" belong to?
"Soften" is a kind of blunt, alter, change, modify, deaden, change intensity. These are its hypernyms — broader categories that "soften" falls under according to WordNet.
What are more specific types of "soften"?
More specific types of "soften" (hyponyms) include: mellow, dull, mollify, mute, damp, macerate, and more. These are all subtypes that fall under the category of "soften".
What is a hypernym?
A hypernym is a word whose meaning includes the meaning of a more specific word. For example, "vehicle" is a hypernym of "car" — every car is a vehicle, but not every vehicle is a car.
What is a hyponym?
A hyponym is a word that is more specific than a general term. For example, "oak" and "pine" are hyponyms of "tree". Understanding hyponyms helps you choose more precise language in writing.