sweeten

sweet·en

verb \ˈswē-t^ən\

sweet·enedsweet·en·ing\ˈswēt-niŋ, ˈswē-t^ən-iŋ\

Definition of SWEETEN

transitive verb

1

: to make sweet

2

: to soften the mood or attitude of

3

: to make less painful or trying

4

: to free from a harmful or undesirable quality or substance; especially : to remove sulfur compounds from <sweeten natural gas>

5

: to make more valuable or attractive <sweeten the deal>: as a : to increase (a pot not won on the previous deal) by anteing prior to another deal b : to place additional securities as collateral for (a loan)

intransitive verb

: to become sweet

— sweet·en·er \ˈswēt-nər, ˈswē-t^ən-ər\ noun

Examples of SWEETEN

1. He sweetened his cereal a little.
2. He sweetened the deal with a large signing bonus.

First Known Use of SWEETEN

circa 1552

Related to SWEETEN

Synonyms: candy, dress up, enhance

Related Words: ameliorate, enrich, improve, meliorate; embellish, soup up, trick; cosmeticize, doll up, spruce

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Rhymes with SWEETEN

beaten, Cretan, cretin, Eaton, Eton, neaten, wheaten