Obtempering

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To mitigate or soften the force or severity of something; to moderate or alleviate in intensity or harshness; to temper or adjust in order to achieve a more suitable balance or condition
2. The action of reducing something's intensity, resulting in a gentler impact; the practice of making adjustments to create harmony or balance; the process of calming or soothing a potentially excessive element
3. Involving the act of softening or lessening the impact of a situation; the approach of fine-tuning or refining to achieve desired qualities; adjusting characteristics to enhance compatibility and minimize conflict

Etymology: This is a form of "obtemper", which descends through "obtemperate" from Latin "obtemperare". That Latin verb combined "ob-", meaning "toward" or "against", with "temperare", meaning to mix in proper proportion or to regulate and restrain. The English verb has moved away from the sense you supplied. Standard dictionaries define "obtemper" as to obey or comply with a command, so it means submitting rather than softening. The idea of moderating or bringing something into proper measure is the closer link to the Latin "temperare" root.

Synonyms: softening, moderating