as in to harden
to make stronger (as through hardship)
She was annealed by the tragedies of her childhood.
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Recent Examples of anneal
Workable quantum solutions that make use of annealing systems are now in use.
—
Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
These services provide access to advanced quantum computing technologies, including annealing quantum computers with over 5,000 qubits and quantum-classical hybrid solvers capable of tackling complex problems involving up to one million variables.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Quantum annealing: This term is borrowed from annealing, a process that uses heat to alter the physical or chemical properties of a metal, glass, or plastic film to increase ductility and reduce hardness.
—Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2024
In this instance, after annealing, nanoplastic molecules are physically bound together with the molecules of tetracycline.
—Joe Salas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2024
Kaveh was certainly born a good person, but his overwhelming personal grace and the power of his art were annealed into their pure form by the white-hot fire of his addiction.
—Lauren Groff, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
Bound wafers and chips are then heated slowly (a process called annealing) to form stronger chemical bonds.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2024
And researchers from Applied Materials presented progress on a method to radically reduce the time needed for annealing—from hours to just 5 minutes.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2024
For applications requiring a more pure silica glass, the residual organics can be removed by annealing the structures at 900° Celsius (1,652° F)—an extra step, granted, but at a much lower temperature than the usual extra sintering step.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 7 July 2023
Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
These services provide access to advanced quantum computing technologies, including annealing quantum computers with over 5,000 qubits and quantum-classical hybrid solvers capable of tackling complex problems involving up to one million variables.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Quantum annealing: This term is borrowed from annealing, a process that uses heat to alter the physical or chemical properties of a metal, glass, or plastic film to increase ductility and reduce hardness.
—Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2024
In this instance, after annealing, nanoplastic molecules are physically bound together with the molecules of tetracycline.
—Joe Salas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2024
Kaveh was certainly born a good person, but his overwhelming personal grace and the power of his art were annealed into their pure form by the white-hot fire of his addiction.
—Lauren Groff, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
Bound wafers and chips are then heated slowly (a process called annealing) to form stronger chemical bonds.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2024
And researchers from Applied Materials presented progress on a method to radically reduce the time needed for annealing—from hours to just 5 minutes.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2024
For applications requiring a more pure silica glass, the residual organics can be removed by annealing the structures at 900° Celsius (1,652° F)—an extra step, granted, but at a much lower temperature than the usual extra sintering step.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 7 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anneal
Verb
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Tehran's rejection shows that U.S. pressure has hardened its stance, narrowing oversight after damage to its nuclear sites and suspended inspections.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
-
Many had been taught to feel shame in Native culture and language at Indian boarding schools; others had been hardened by prison stints or by the harsh realities of urban poverty.—
Nick Estes,
New Yorker,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement But bodies are living things who are entitled to change, strengthen, soften, expand, and spill out as evidence of a life lived—not a life restricted.—
Mari Andrew,
Time,
1 July 2025
-
The United States partners with the Government of Nigeria to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism capabilities, working together toward the elimination of terrorist organizations and their networks of support.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Following the January departure of Flos B&B Italia’s chief executive officer, luxury veteran Daniel Lalonde, its new management has been focused on fortifying each firm in its portfolio before selling them off.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
-
Its railing is fortified with plexiglass safety barriers to prevent children from climbing, according to USA Today.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
Verb
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This new offering empowers retailers to curate exclusive barrels of Knob Creek Bourbon or Rye bottled straight from the barrel, with no water added to temper its natural punch.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
Max suspects that a palace faction has been conspiring to temper any influence his family might generate, fearful that more returning brothers might form a stronger alternative power source that would be more difficult to tame.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2025
-
The family also played a key role in commemorating the 80th anniversaries of D-Day and V-E Day, further reinforcing its role on both the national and international stage.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anneal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anneal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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