Word: softened
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Kennedy offers some controversial solutions to society’s problems with this tenacious word. Using the N-word liberally, he thinks, may soften its offensive blow, a theory propounded by filmmakers Quentin Tarantino and Lenny Bruce. This way, speakers can take control of the word’s semantic implications, “owning” and defining it according to a more positive, and self-determined, ideal...
...night was filled with jokes about Willis’ tough guy image—and attempts to soften...
...that may not last. Russian President Vladimir Putin's response was relatively mild, partly because the Administration had smoothed the way beforehand. Secretary of State Colin Powell informed Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov two weeks ago of the impending move. Powell then held a series of meetings designed to soften the blow by focusing attention on another deal that both sides committed to last month: mutual cuts in offensive nuclear weapons. Putin stressed Thursday that he wanted the deal in writing, "a legal seal on the achieved agreements on further radical, irreversible and verifiable cuts...
...command. Gray deftly uses his steely and expressive baritone to give life to a character who is desire incarnate. Strutting, preening, cajoling, even begging, he radiates charisma, as well as a sad sort of desperation that the character is unaware he possesses. A lesser actor might be inclined to soften the character and play him as a pimp with a heart of gold. Gray, though, avoids all of the character’s traps, forging ahead with a portrayal that embraces greed in such a visceral sense that one cannot help but embrace him and eagerly follow wherever he leads...
Categorically anti-commercial in their tone, Slipknot ignored the typical formula used by metal bands searching for success: produce one radio-friendly song, often an 80s cover to get exposure, enjoy reasonable sales of the debut album, then soften the vocals, drop some distortion and get yourself onto TRL with album two (witness the mass popularity of Limp Bizkit’s George Michael cover “Faith,” followed by the huge success of “Nookie,” mirrored closely by Orgy’s mainstream success with the New Order cover...