thickened; thickening
ˈthi-kə-niŋ 
ˈthik-
1
a
: to become dense
the mist thickened
b
: to become concentrated in numbers, mass, or frequency
2
: to grow blurred or obscure
3
: to grow broader or bulkier
4
: to grow complicated or keen
the plot thickens
1
a
: to make thick, dense, or viscous in consistency
thicken gravy with flour
b
: to make close or compact
2
: to increase the depth or diameter of
3
: to make inarticulate : blur
alcohol thickened his speech
Examples of thicken in a Sentence
I thickened the gravy with flour.
When the mixture thickens, add the remaining ingredients.
The fog thickened when night fell.
Recent Examples on the Web
Add cream to mushrooms and bring to a light simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes.
—
Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 20 June 2025
Infections Lung infections from bacteria and viruses cause mucus to thicken and turn brown.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 15 June 2025
Place the pan over medium-high heat and reduce until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes.
—Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
The justified accusation that the carbon footprint of a child from a rich nation was gigantic compared to that of a child from a poorer nation (except those from elite families) thickening the political smog obscuring the raw ecological toll of adding eighty million a year to the human population.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for thicken
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Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 20 June 2025
Infections Lung infections from bacteria and viruses cause mucus to thicken and turn brown.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 15 June 2025
Place the pan over medium-high heat and reduce until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes.
—Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
The justified accusation that the carbon footprint of a child from a rich nation was gigantic compared to that of a child from a poorer nation (except those from elite families) thickening the political smog obscuring the raw ecological toll of adding eighty million a year to the human population.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for thicken
Cite this Entry
“Thicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thicken. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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