sweetener

American  

[sweet-n-er] / ˈswit n ər /

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.

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sweetener British  

/ ˈswiːtənə /

noun

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

2. informal a bribe

3. informal a financial inducement

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Etymology

Origin of sweetener

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

Example Sentences

But a near-endless number of possible customizations means that customers can bring their sugar intake far higher by adding pumps of syrup, cold foam, sweetener or other toppings.

From The Wall Street Journal

Its house label’s products are formulated without artificial flavors and sweeteners, synthetic colors, or high-fructose corn syrup.

From Salon

Walmart said last fall it would remove synthetic dyes from its store-brand foods and phase out roughly 30 other ingredients, including certain artificial sweeteners and preservatives.

From The Wall Street Journal

Paramount’s updated proposal contained several key sweeteners, including a commitment from tech billionaire Larry Ellison, through his Ellison Trust, to guarantee $45.7 billion in equity financing.

From Los Angeles Times

Earlier this week, Paramount raised bid for Warner to $31 a share and it threw in other sweeteners for a proposed deal that would top $110 billion.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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