soften vs macerate

soften is not a noun while macerate is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
soften	No	No	Yes	No
macerate	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, macerate is a hyponym of soften; that is, macerate is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than soften:

soften: become soft or softer
macerate: become soft or separate and disintegrate as a result of excessive soaking

Other hyponyms of soften include mellow.

As verbs, macerate is a hyponym of soften; that is, macerate is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than soften:

soften: make soft or softer
macerate: soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result

Other hyponyms of soften include mellow, mollify.

soften (noun)	macerate (noun)
	a macerated substance, sometimes used to infuse vodka with flavor.

soften (verb)	macerate (verb)
become soft or softer	soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result
make soft or softer	become soft or separate and disintegrate as a result of excessive soaking
lessen in force or effect	cause to grow thin or weak
make less severe or harsh	separate into constituents by soaking
protect from impact
make (images or sounds) soft or softer
give in, as to influence or pressure