She could see it in the slight softening of his rugged features.

Even his men had noticed a slight softening, something she'd been careful not to pass on.

"We are seeing a slight softening and a little bit more buyer resistance."

He said the financial-interest proposal did amount to a slight softening in the producers' position.

He allowed himself a slight softening of his features.

Cerryl thought he saw a slight softening of Anya's hard smile but for an instant before she turned.

The narrower stem end shows signs of ripeness first, indicated by a slight softening at that point.

Did I imagine it, or was there a slight softening of her features?

The amendment actually suggests a slight softening by talking of sanctions only in cases of serious corruption.