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Synonyms

tempered

American  
[tem-perd] / ˈtɛm pərd /

adjective

  1. having a temper or disposition of a specified character (usually used in combination).

    a good-tempered child.

  2. Music. tuned in accordance with some other temperament than just or pure temperament, especially tuned in equal temperament.

  3. made less intense or violent, especially by the influence of something good or benign.

    justice tempered with mercy.

  4. properly moistened or mixed, as clay.

  5. Metallurgy. of or relating to steel or cast iron that has been tempered.

tempered British  
/ ˈtɛmpəd /

adjective

  1. music

    1. (of a scale) having the frequency differences between notes adjusted in accordance with the system of equal temperament See temperament

    2. (of an interval) expanded or contracted from the state of being pure

  2. (in combination) having a temper or temperament as specified

    ill-tempered
"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

Other Word Forms

  • nontempered adjective
  • untempered adjective

Etymology

Origin of tempered

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; temper, -ed 2, -ed 3

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.

But Samsung tempered expectations for the gigantic device, with an executive describing it as a special-edition product for diehard fans rather than for the masses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

But Powell tempered the optimism, noting AI is currently pushing inflation up, not down.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

Similarly, a sustained 10% rise in oil lowers GDP growth by a tenth, though that could be tempered depending on how domestic producers respond.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

"If realised, the speed at which borrowing costs ease may be tempered."

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

"No sword is strong until it's been tempered," Lord Tywin declared.

From "A Game of Thrones" 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.