Caseharden is a verb that means to make something hard and resistant to external forces by heating and cooling it repeatedly. The antonyms (opposites) of caseharden are softening, weakening, relaxing, loosening, and mellowing. When an object is softened, it becomes less hard and more pliable. To weaken something is to make it less strong and sturdy. Relaxing suggests a release of tension and rigidity, allowing for a more flexible state. Loosening indicates that something is becoming less tightly bound or fitting. Mellowing suggests an improvement in quality or state of being over time. These antonyms can help to highlight the various ways that objects can be transformed or altered from their initial state.