sweeten

[sweet-n]

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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.

Nearby words

Origin of sweeten

First recorded in 1545–55; sweet + -en¹

Related forms

non·sweet·ened, adjectiveout·sweet·en, 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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sweeten

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
Sweeten it to your taste; set it over the fire, and keep it stirring till it boils.
The Lady's Own Cookery Book, and New Dinner-Table Directory;|Charlotte Campbell Bury
Should he continue to sweeten at this rate, as he proceeds, I know not what will become of all the little modesty I have left.
The Works of William Cowper|William Cowper
He found it a disconsolate occupation, even with a cigar to sweeten it.
Tales From Bohemia|Robert Neilson Stephens
Let it stand two hours; sweeten to taste, and add a bottle of seltzer-water.
Cups and their Customs|George Edwin Roberts
Between France and Germany it creates a sea of bitterness which no rapturous exultation over the new ethical ordering can sweeten.
The Inside Story Of The Peace Conference|Emile Joseph Dillon

British Dictionary definitions for sweeten

sweeten

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

Word Origin and History for sweeten

sweeten

1550s, from sweet (adj.) + verbal ending -en (1). The Middle English form of the verb was simply sweet, from Old English swetan. Related: Sweetened; sweetening.