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
The system will form the backbone of a long-term partnership between FAU and D-Wave, which provides both annealing and gate-model quantum computing platforms.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
The glass sheets spend 45 minutes in a machine called an annealing oven cooling to around 200 degrees.
—Christine Tannous, IndyStar, 13 Nov. 2025
Engineers sparingly tried annealing hardware space, so Juno's experience could be instructive for future missions.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
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
After annealing, the links are strong covalent bonds [below].
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2024
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
The glass sheets spend 45 minutes in a machine called an annealing oven cooling to around 200 degrees.
—Christine Tannous, IndyStar, 13 Nov. 2025
Engineers sparingly tried annealing hardware space, so Juno's experience could be instructive for future missions.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
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
After annealing, the links are strong covalent bonds [below].
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anneal
Verb
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One that shows the intense rightward swing that has only hardened as the lines between hip-hop and the streaming universe have blurred.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
6 May 2026
-
The airstrike on the Haret Hreik neighborhood targeted the leader of the Radwan forces, Hezbollah’s elite and battle-hardened fighting unit, Israeli authorities said.—
Mohamad El Chamaa,
Washington Post,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Kennedy said removing tariffs would reduce friction for importers, distributors and independent bottlers sourcing stock from Scotland, while also strengthening long-term confidence across the industry.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
-
Our task is to rebuild and to strengthen the rule of law, the checks and balances.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Infusing this with her music has fortified her place in pop.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
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Together, those ingredients restore, firm, and fortify every inch of you.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Verb
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In one rep on Saturday, Harbaugh asked the linemen to remove their helmets so the players would temper their level of violence.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
11 May 2026
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In a political world where the GOP's House majority is just five seats, those inch-by-inch advantages could temper Republican losses in the midterms despite the headwinds of an unpopular war and high gas prices.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Interior finishes include reclaimed timber flooring and panels, while mature trees relocated from municipal sites reinforce the 'tree' concept and create an immediate green setting.—
Adam Williams
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
-
Local authorities formally closed all hiking routes to Mount Dukono in April and reinforced the ban following Friday’s incident.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anneal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anneal. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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