tempered

tem·pered | \ ˈtem-pərd

Definition of tempered

1 : treated by tempering especially, of glass : treated so as to impart increased strength and the property of shattering into pellets when broken

2 : having a specified temper —used in combinationshort-tempered

3a : having the elements mixed in satisfying proportions : temperate

b : qualified, lessened, or diluted by the mixture or influence of an additional ingredient : moderated a pale gleam of tempered sunlight fell through the leaves— W. H. Hudson †1922

4 : conforming to adjustment by temperament —used of a musical interval, intonation, semitone, or scale

Examples of tempered in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Or their warm streaks may simply be random fluctuations caused by the quality of their opponents, some lucky bounces and heavily tempered expectations. — New York Times, "Quarterback Keeper? Jets, Browns and Bears Face Contract Decisions," 30 Dec. 2020 European allies are likely to use more tempered rhetoric. — Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner, "European allies to tap brakes on any rush to cyber 'war' with Russia," 23 Dec. 2020 So was working on a novel about three Khmer-American cousins, a pansexual rapper, a comedian philosopher and a short-tempered illustrator. — Los Angeles Times, "Anthony Veasna So, promising young Bay Area author, is remembered for his wit and talent," 15 Dec. 2020 The debate over transgender rights, especially online, can be extremely bad-tempered and poisonous. — The Economist, "Letting trans women play in women’s sports is often unfair," 17 Oct. 2020 While passenger rail advocates cheered the news, their reaction was a bit tempered because the status of $10 million in state matching funds is uncertain at this point. — Janet Moore, Star Tribune, "Second daily round-trip train between Twin Cities, Chicago edges closer to reality," 3 Oct. 2020 However, there is a more tempered view among those who see the wisdom of the ethnic federalism system. — Samuel Getachew, Quartz Africa, "Ethiopia won its armed battle over Tigray, but it hasn’t won the political war just yet," 4 Dec. 2020 This wine cooler includes adjustable racks and cool tempered glass doors with interior lighting and fits 10 bottles. — Lesley Kennedy, CNN Underscored, "The best Wayfair Cyber Monday sales," 30 Nov. 2020 Most suburbs were popular with buyers, as well, but sales gains were generally more tempered than in the core cities. — Jim Buchta, Star Tribune, "Twin Cities home sales surge led by 47% increase in Minneapolis," 19 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tempered.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.