tenderize

especially British, ten·der·ise

[ten-duh-rahyz]

verb (used with object)

tenderized, tenderizing 

1. to make (meat) tender, as by pounding or by a chemical process or treatment.

tenderize

/ ˈtɛndəˌraɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to make (meat) tender by pounding it to break down the fibres, by steeping it in a marinade, or by treating it with a tenderizer

Other Word Forms

• tenderization noun
• tenderizer noun
• untenderized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenderize¹

First recorded in 1725–35; tender ¹ + -ize

Example Sentences

After about an hour, the vinegar helps tenderize the red onion and asparagus, creating a crisp, bright salad that's truly sublime.

Read more on Salon

“The tannins in the tea tenderize the chicken, and the sweetness from the tea and the soy sauce infuse into the chicken,” Biegel added.

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Clean your octopus, tenderize it, cure it with kosher salt, and chop it into chunks, then add it to the colander and repeat the process.

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Orlando used heavy pressure to tenderize Tullis-Joyce, totaling 12 shots overall in the first half, the keeper saving five before the break.

Read more on Seattle Times

Rather than marinate the chicken for hours, 30 minutes will boost flavor and tenderize the meat.

Read more on Washington Times

Related Words

• abate 
• alleviate 
• cushion 
• diminish 
• dissolve 
• ease 
• lessen 
• lighten 
• lower 
• mellow 
• melt 
• mitigate 
• moderate 
• modify 
• relax 
• relent 
• temper 
• thaw 
• tone down 
• weaken