sweeten

American  

[sweet-n] / ˈswit n /

verb (used with object)

1. to make sweet, as by adding sugar.

2. to make mild or kind; soften.

3. to lessen the acridity or pungency of (a food) by prolonged cooking.

4. to reduce the saltiness of (a food or dish) by diluting with water, milk, or other liquid.

5. to make (the breath, room air, etc.) sweet or fresh, as with a mouthwash, spray, etc.

6. (in musical recording) to add musical instruments to (an arrangement), especially strings for a lusher sound.

7. Chemistry.

   1. to make (the stomach, soil, etc.) less acidic, as by means of certain preparations, chemicals, etc.

   2. to remove sulfur and its compounds from (oil or gas).

8. Informal.

   1. to enhance the value of (loan collateral) by including additional or especially valuable securities.

   2. to add to the value or attractiveness of (any proposition, holding, etc.).

9. to add more liquor to (an alcoholic drink).

10. Poker. to add stakes to (a pot) before opening.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become sweet or sweeter.

sweeten British  

/ ˈswiːtən /

verb

1. (also intr) to make or become sweet or sweeter

2. to mollify or soften (a person)

3. to make more agreeable

4. (also intr) chem to free or be freed from unpleasant odours, acidic or corrosive substances, or the like

5. finance to raise the value of (loan collateral) by adding more securities

6. informal poker to enlarge (the pot) by adding chips

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Other Word Forms

• nonsweetened adjective
• outsweeten verb (used with object)
• oversweeten verb (used with object)
• presweeten verb (used with object)
• resweeten verb
• unsweetened adjective

Etymology

Origin of sweeten

First recorded in 1545–55; sweet + -en ¹

Example Sentences

"Daddy, take this to sweeten things a little," reads the blue ink.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

If Warner Bros. decides the Paramount bid is ultimately better, Netflix would have four days to decide whether it wants to sweeten its proposal or walk away.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

As Paramount moved Monday to sweeten its bid for Warner Bros.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

Caporale suggests adding agave nectar to sweeten the lime juice base, along with orange juice or orange peel to compensate for the lack of triple sec.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2026

To sweeten the deal, Zimmermann promised that Mexico would get Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico as a reward.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

• mull