Calcifies refers to the process of hardening through the deposit of calcium salts. Therefore, the antonyms for calcifies would be words that imply softening or breaking down. Words that come to mind include "dissolve," "liquefy," "melt," "decompose," "disintegrate," "erode," "deteriorate," "degrade," "decay," and "rust." These words represent the opposite of calcifies, which refers to a process that strengthens or hardens. While calcification is beneficial in some biological processes, such as bone formation, the breakdown and softening of materials are necessary in other contexts. The antonyms of calcifies acknowledge that not everything needs to be hardened or stiffened.