sweeten

[ sweet-n ]

/ ˈswit n /

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See synonyms for sweeten on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to make sweet, as by adding sugar.

to make mild or kind; soften.

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

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

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

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

Chemistry.

to make (the stomach, soil, etc.) less acidic, as by means of certain preparations, chemicals, etc.
to remove sulfur and its compounds from (oil or gas).

Informal.

to enhance the value of (loan collateral) by including additional or especially valuable securities.
to add to the value or attractiveness of (any proposition, holding, etc.).

to add more liquor to (an alcoholic drink).

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

verb (used without object)

to become sweet or sweeter.

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Origin of sweeten

First recorded in 1545–55; sweet + -en¹

OTHER WORDS FROM sweeten

non·sweet·ened, adjectiveoutsweeten, verb (used with object)o·ver·sweet·en, verb (used with object)pre·sweet·en, verb (used with object)

re·sweet·en, verbun·sweet·ened, adjective

Words nearby sweeten

sweet cicely, sweet cider, sweet clover, sweet corn, sweet dreams, sweeten, sweetener, sweetening, sweeten the kitty, sweet fern, sweet flag

How to use sweeten in a sentence

While they haven’t tested the theory on humans, the scientists found that young rats that consumed sugar-sweetened beverages daily had impaired performance on memory tasks as adults.
Do You Remember?|Sean Culligan|April 13, 2021|Ozy
Whisk in the sweetened condensed milk, bottled key lime juice and fresh lime juice until fully combined.
This key lime pie is a great tool for building kids’ — or your — confidence in the kitchen|Allison Robicelli|March 19, 2021|Washington Post
To sweeten the report, families offer a bribe of sugar to the Kitchen God — smearing the image with something sweet and then burning it, so it can ascend to heaven.
Who Goes From President to Prisoner?|Daniel Malloy|March 2, 2021|Ozy
If you don’t like his criticisms, then suggest he can either sweeten up or go home.
Carolyn Hax: How to tell Dad that you want to dispense with the unpleasantries|Carolyn Hax|November 6, 2020|Washington Post

So, to sweeten the deal, Apple finally gave us some fun colors to keep our eyes from wandering.
Apple Watch Series 6 Review: Still the best smartwatch, but tracking is lacking|Corey Gaskin|September 25, 2020|Ars Technica
Cameroon released several Boko Haram detainees to sweeten the deal.
Al Qaeda Growing Rich Off Ransom Payments|Jamie Dettmer|December 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Right now your company likes to sweeten the pot by paying you in tax-deductible fringe benefits, including corporate junkets.
Our Tax Code is Too Complicated. Here's How to Simplify It.|Megan McArdle|April 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
If the administration is correct, then there should be no need to sweeten the pot.
Just Say No To Layoff Notices|Megan McArdle|October 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He likes to sweeten the negotiations with a little food, drink, and social lubrication, no matter the circumstances.
Democratic Sen. Mark Warner Defies Party to Engage GOP on a Deficit deal|Linda Killian|December 28, 2011|DAILY BEAST
You can reuse the syrup to sweeten tea or make another batch of apple chips.
Fresh Picks|Alex Guarnaschelli|September 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
She smiled kindly on me, much as a goddess designs to sweeten the life of a mortal with a glance.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter
You said yourself I wanted violets to sweeten me and hammers to soften me—you think I'm so bitter and so hard.
The Creators|May Sinclair
The figure is that the law in itself is often like a sharp and bitter flavor, but that a good judge will sweeten this.
The Fatal Dowry|Philip Massinger
There was sugar enough in the bowl to sweeten all their tea the next day, and so far all went well.
St. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 5, March, 1878|Various
Well, I will bear mine antler'd honours as I may—gold shall gild them; and for my disgrace, revenge shall sweeten it.
The Fortunes of Nigel|Sir Walter Scott

British Dictionary definitions for sweeten

sweeten

/ (ˈswiːtən) /

verb (mainly tr)

(also intr) to make or become sweet or sweeter

to mollify or soften (a person)

to make more agreeable

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

finance, mainly US to raise the value of (loan collateral) by adding more securities

informal poker to enlarge (the pot) by adding chips

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sweeten

Origin of sweeten

OTHER WORDS FROM sweeten

Words nearby sweeten

Words related to sweeten

How to use sweeten in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sweeten