1
as in to freeze
to become physically firm or solid
the surface of the pond congealed after several days of frigid temperatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to gel
to turn from a liquid into a substance resembling jelly
the gravy had already started to congeal by the time the waiter served our dinners
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of congeal
Behind an offensive line that has congealed into an elite unit in recent weeks, McCaffrey has hit his season-long runs in back-to-back weeks.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
When the cast finally congeals at Kyle’s summer solstice party, Rachel is right up in there in the mix.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
While the rest of Burning Man celebrated, Kruglov lay prostrate on the ground at a faraway campsite in a comparatively desolate section of Black Rock City, his throat slashed, as a puddle of blood congealed around his lifeless body.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Might the thrill of their ambition congeal into something like obligation?
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for congeal
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
When the cast finally congeals at Kyle’s summer solstice party, Rachel is right up in there in the mix.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
While the rest of Burning Man celebrated, Kruglov lay prostrate on the ground at a faraway campsite in a comparatively desolate section of Black Rock City, his throat slashed, as a puddle of blood congealed around his lifeless body.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Might the thrill of their ambition congeal into something like obligation?
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for congeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congeal
Verb
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Once a creditor clears the legal prerequisites, nothing prevents them from simultaneously directing a writ to your employer to garnish your wages and a separate writ to your bank to freeze the cash in your account.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Of course, most job hunters at the time felt as though the job market was frozen solid.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some recipes also include pectin, a natural gelling agent that helps the jam set to a spreadable texture.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
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There was no guarantee this collection of players would gel at all, let alone at the exact right time.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The work only repaired and hardened about 10% of what was lost.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
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But Iran, which watched the 2003 toppling of Saddam Hussein next door, has been hardening its regime ever since.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Your Cardiovascular Health Can Improve Quickly Arteries naturally stiffen with age, which can raise your risk of heart attack and stroke.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
11 Apr. 2026
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The men’s Run 900 Ultra Black Shorts feature integrated Rheon technology, a reactive polymer that remains soft at rest but stiffens under pressure.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As most of the scientific books tell us, coagulating protein at lower temperatures produces more tender clumps; adding a little water or cream makes an omelet tenderer still.—
Jeffrey Steingarten,
Vogue,
5 Apr. 2026
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Two dented blue bottles of Cuajo Titanium, a liquid coagulating enzyme used to curdle milk, remained on a wooden table, caked in mud.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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From day one, everybody clicked and jelled well.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The opportunities for the hope did not jell, and the airport became available.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Before freezing, blanching the potatoes gelatinizes surface starches, and freezing encourages those starches to reorganize into a firmer structure.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
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Starches swell with heat and water, gelatinizing to give dough its airy lift.—
Sanjay Srivastava,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Congeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congeal. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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