sweeten
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make sweet, as by adding sugar.
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to make mild or kind; soften.
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to lessen the acridity or pungency of (a food) by prolonged cooking.
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to reduce the saltiness of (a food or dish) by diluting with water, milk, or other liquid.
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to make (the breath, room air, etc.) sweet or fresh, as with a mouthwash, spray, etc.
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(in musical recording) to add musical instruments to (an arrangement), especially strings for a lusher sound.
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Chemistry.
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to make (the stomach, soil, etc.) less acidic, as by means of certain preparations, chemicals, etc.
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to remove sulfur and its compounds from (oil or gas).
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Informal.
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to enhance the value of (loan collateral) by including additional or especially valuable securities.
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to add to the value or attractiveness of (any proposition, holding, etc.).
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to add more liquor to (an alcoholic drink).
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Poker. to add stakes to (a pot) before opening.
verb (used without object)
verb
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(also intr) to make or become sweet or sweeter
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to mollify or soften (a person)
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to make more agreeable
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(also intr) chem to free or be freed from unpleasant odours, acidic or corrosive substances, or the like
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finance to raise the value of (loan collateral) by adding more securities
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informal poker to enlarge (the pot) by adding chips
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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sweetensimple
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sweetenssimple
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have sweetenedperfect
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has sweetenedperfect
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am sweeteningprogressive
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are sweeteningprogressive
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is sweeteningprogressive
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have been sweeteningperfect progressive
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has been sweeteningperfect progressive
Past
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sweetenedsimple
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had sweetenedperfect
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was sweeteningprogressive
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were sweeteningprogressive
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had been sweeteningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of sweeten
Explanation
When you sweeten something, you make it taste sweeter. To sweeten your lemonade, just add more sugar. To literally sweeten something, like your muffin recipe or a cup of tea, all you need to do is add something that tastes sweet, like honey, molasses, sugar, or even apple juice. When you figuratively sweeten something, you make it more appealing or acceptable. The phrase "sweeten the pot" or "sweeten the deal" comes from poker, in which it means to add more bets (or money) to the game.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Many counties sweeten the deal with school-tax exemptions for residents 62 or 65-plus.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 15, 2026
Adopting a psychedelic-rock aesthetic, “Casket” was another stab at optimism; Brock wanted to create something intentionally upbeat to sweeten the sour, post-pandemic mood.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
China’s peace efforts could include finding a way to sweeten the pot so a resolution emerges, which would come at little cost and potentially big benefits for China, Sun says.
From Barron's • May 6, 2026
They agreed to waive the home inspection, a common tactic to help buyers sweeten their offers to sellers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
The priest was fond of chewing orange rinds to sweeten his breath, whenever he could get them.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
