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
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
In this instance, after annealing, nanoplastic molecules are physically bound together with the molecules of tetracycline.
—Joe Salas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 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
After annealing, the links are strong covalent bonds [below].
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2024
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
In this instance, after annealing, nanoplastic molecules are physically bound together with the molecules of tetracycline.
—Joe Salas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 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
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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The material also had to harden with strength similar to natural bone and gradually break down so new bone could replace it.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Sep. 2025
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Here, the situation has changed, leaving many of the gods either hardened or embittered by the conflict.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Moya said additional training that focuses on strengthening leadership skills and cultural awareness will also be implemented for Experience Fayetteville.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Sep. 2025
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Ukraine, too, is joining efforts to help strengthen Denmark’s security.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Once that decision is made, Posey and the rest of the Giants’ brass will shift its attention to fortifying their roster, generally, and their pitching depth, specifically.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
29 Sep. 2025
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The two have bonded over their desire to get better and their tireless work ethics, and that relationship has only been fortified as the years have progressed.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Exposure to ongoing, high levels of stress can affect a child’s behavior, attention span, and ability to temper their own emotions.—
Juli Fraga,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
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While a happy home life in the new adoption setting can temper this, an experience of this kind sometimes has a psychological impact.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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,
29 Sep. 2025
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Pettersson’s sturdy performances over the weekend, and the fact that the club gave him a lengthy look on Sunday on the right side, would seem to have reinforced his incumbency in the battle for a spot in the opening-night lineup.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anneal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anneal. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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