anneal

verb

Definition of annealnext
as in to harden
to make stronger (as through hardship) She was annealed by the tragedies of her childhood.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of anneal Engineers sparingly tried annealing hardware space, so Juno's experience could be instructive for future missions. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 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 See All Example Sentences for anneal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anneal
  1. harden
  2. strengthen
  3. fortify
  4. temper
  5. reinforce
Verb
  • The building materials are fire-resistant, as are the windows, and the eaves are fire-hardened as well.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The process, called cured-in-place pipe lining, involves inserting a flexible liner into the old pipe, inflating it and hardening it in place.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of harden
Verb
  • The goal is to strengthen leadership skills and explore key topics, including entrepreneurship, innovation, change management, communication and self-promotion.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Low pressure strengthening off the Carolina coast will gradually move northward, while high pressure remains anchored to our north.
    — Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of strengthen
Verb
  • The dispute unfolds as North Korea fortifies the already heavily armed frontier and both sides trade accusations, with diplomacy stalled and Seoul’s military vowing a firm response.
    — Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The shampoo nourishes the scalp with panthenol and niacinamide, while the conditioner fortifies strands with lipids for thicker-looking hair that resists breakage.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of fortify
Verb
  • Although bright whites dominate the hotel’s design, the warmth of unvarnished wood furniture does much to temper its starkness, and judicious use of pops of colour – fresh greens, yellows and florals – gives visual interest to the luxe space.
    — Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Earlier stages of the digital revolution offer reasons to temper those expectations.
    — RUCHIR SHARMA, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of temper
Verb
  • Mental health experts have voiced concerns about chatbots’ sycophancy, lack of clinical nuance, and ability to reinforce delusional beliefs.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Kim Yo Jong, widely viewed as the second most powerful official in Pyongyang, made the statement after visiting frontline areas where soldiers are reinforcing the border.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of reinforce

Browse Nearby Words

annals
anneal
annealed
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Cite this Entry

“Anneal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anneal. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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