as in to reduce
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
time had cauterized his bitterness, and he was willing to let bygones be bygones
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Recent Examples of cauterize
All of his attempts to cut away his past, to cauterize himself and separate himself from it, would fail.
—
Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2024
During this procedure, a surgeon makes a slit in the cyst and cauterize (burns the area to prevent bleeding) the edges of the incision, allowing the cyst to drain continuously.
—Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2024
As Hercules cut off the Hydra’s heads, Iolaus cauterized the stumps with a burning torch to prevent new growth, allowing the pair to defeat the monster.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2024
With the outreach to contributors drawing skepticism and even outrage, the White House tried to cauterize the wound with an announcement yesterday that the 81-year-old president will sit down for an extended interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on July 5.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for cauterize
Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2024
During this procedure, a surgeon makes a slit in the cyst and cauterize (burns the area to prevent bleeding) the edges of the incision, allowing the cyst to drain continuously.
—Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2024
As Hercules cut off the Hydra’s heads, Iolaus cauterized the stumps with a burning torch to prevent new growth, allowing the pair to defeat the monster.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2024
With the outreach to contributors drawing skepticism and even outrage, the White House tried to cauterize the wound with an announcement yesterday that the 81-year-old president will sit down for an extended interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on July 5.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for cauterize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cauterize
Verb
-
An estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the proposals would reduce the number of people with health care by at least 7.6 million from the Medicaid changes, and possibly more with other changes to the Affordable Care Act.—
Kevin Freking,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2025
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Another question has to do with the probiotics themselves: Can all probiotic supplements reduce negative feelings, or is there something specific about these nine bacteria included in the study?—
Simon Spichak,
Health,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
These sequences are cut to bits — and not in a music video style — masking the choreography and blunting the emotional impact.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
8 May 2025
-
Skeptics have countered that dropping routine crash data will blunt an early-warning system and that broad confidentiality requests could wall off crucial context when something goes wrong.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Kil noted that one of the features of the town hall remodel project will deaden the noise from the passing trains, which at times can drown out speakers during town meetings.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
18 May 2025
-
She was shot three times at close range, with a blanket wrapped around the gun to deaden the sound.—
Christopher Goffard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
My protagonist drinks to dull the sharp edges of motherhood, to quiet the restless ache of unmet expectations, and to grasp at the fleeting illusion of control in a life that often feels anything but.—
Jessica Guerrieri,
People.com,
9 May 2025
-
In the last couple episodes, dude seemed to chill out and dull down his sharper edges.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
7 May 2025
Verb
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 May 2025
-
Trump also alluded briefly to the diminishing trade between the U.S. and China in the wake of the tariff standoff when a reporter asked about falling container volumes at U.S. ports.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
8 May 2025
Verb
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Because both actors look like lumpish proletarian versions of Ingmar Bergman stars — Alma Pöysti, radiant yet benumbed, plays Ansa like a dish-towel Bibi Andersson, and Jussi Vatanen could be the schlump brother of Max von Sydow (with a dollop of Ryan Gosling).—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
23 May 2023
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What’s destructive, and eventually benumbing, is the kitchen-sink clutter of fantasy, reality, wish-fulfillment and glib enchantment.—
Joe Morgenstern,
WSJ,
24 Jan. 2019
Verb
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Others may develop it after pregnancy, as the muscles and ligaments around the uterus can loosen or weaken.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
10 May 2025
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This weakens their ability to tailor experiences and erodes marketing efficiency.—
Amit Jhawar,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cauterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cauterize. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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