sweetener

[sweet-n-er]

noun

1. something that sweetens, as sugar or a low-calorie synthetic product used instead of sugar.

2. an added inducement.

   such sweeteners as tax breaks and low-cost loans.

sweetener

/ ˈswiːtənə /

noun

1. a sweetening agent, esp one that does not contain sugar

2. informal,  a bribe

3. informal,  a financial inducement

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweetener¹

First recorded in 1640–50; sweeten + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Ultra-processed foods are defined as containing more than five ingredients which you would not find at home in your kitchen cupboard, such as emulsifiers, preservatives, additives, dyes and sweeteners.

Read more on BBC

A regular home seller can offer sweeteners to encourage buyers to sign, but only up to a certain amount.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Tech titans are offering sweeteners in their deals because they need to offload risk as the cost of the AI arms race soars, threatening even the strongest competitors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The U.S. administration has been more willing to take ownership stakes in other companies, and if the equity sweetener is generous enough, they may take the bait on this one as well,” writes D.A.

Read more on Barron's

New homes are sitting unsold, despite builders using sweeteners to shift inventory.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blackmail 
• compensation 
• gift 
• graft 
• gratuity 
• hush money 
• incentive 
• inducement 
• kickback 
• perk 
• reward