blandear

To soften someone's resolve, or (reflexively, blandearse) to relent, give in, or go soft on a stance one previously held firm — related to blando ('soft'). Common in contexts about negotiations, discipline, or political positions weakening under pressure.

• Los directivos no se blandearon ante las protestas. — The executives didn't soften their stance despite the protests.
• Intentó blandear al juez con promesas, sin éxito. — He tried to soften up the judge with promises, without success.
• Al final se blandeó y aceptó el acuerdo. — In the end he relented and accepted the deal.

Easy to confuse visually with blandir (to brandish, as in brandishing a weapon) — the two are unrelated in meaning despite the similar spelling; blandear is about softening resolve, blandir is about waving something threateningly.

Often confused with blandir.