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
Some annealing quantum-type computers are already commercialized.
—
Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
They’re served in a heap in a bowl, the logs of potato annealed, shiny and splotched with balsamic vinegar.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
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
Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
They’re served in a heap in a bowl, the logs of potato annealed, shiny and splotched with balsamic vinegar.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anneal
Verb
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But the mood in Israel hardened dramatically when, on July 31, Hamas released a video of the skeletal 21-year-old Israeli hostage Rom Braslavski, weeping and in pain.—
Emily Rose,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Coconut oil will harden when cold, leaving you with solid chocolate candy for later.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While Italy aims to strengthen its vital connection to Sicily, China has been systematically building the world's highest bridges.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
6 Aug. 2025
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Honoring my Guatemalan ancestry only strengthens my commitment to America.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
These five startups represent a growing movement to fortify human and ecological systems against climate volatility.—
Marianne Lehnis,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Many brands fortify soy milk with additional vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D and B12, to boost its nutritional value.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While blending, slowly add the warm milks and mascarpone to temper the mixture so the eggs don’t scramble.—
Alex Cason,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Aug. 2025
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As the president has tempered his approach — including once again delaying the start of tariffs — markets have tried to adjust to the prospect of a more protectionist global order.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The key questions to address with AI include are citizens more confident engaging with tribal services, does AI strengthen traditions, language, or practices, and does technology reinforce tribal governance authority?—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anneal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anneal. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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