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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of congeal
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
Everything living will congeal and grow mold in light that has no pulse and is therefore dead.
—Literary Hub, 2 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
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Everything living will congeal and grow mold in light that has no pulse and is therefore dead.
—Literary Hub, 2 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
-
In 2057, Earth is freezing as the sun has begun to die.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The National Weather Service warns residents of the negative effect of frost and freeze conditions on crops and other sensitive vegetation.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated February 20,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If something isn’t exactly gelling, this is the stage to mix it up in makeup, hair, costumes, whatever needs to be fixed.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
24 Feb. 2026
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His dark brunette hair was neatly gelled to the side.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As if the wide-eyed innocent who arrived here has been hardened.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Florida lawmakers are assigning no new money this year for My Safe Florida Home, the popular home-hardening program that awards $10,000 grants to help Floridians upgrade their windows and doors.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The machine dryer agitates the clothing and prevents fibers from stiffening during drying, which is why clothing comes out feeling soft.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
23 Feb. 2026
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Instead of masking smells with fragrance sprays, which can stain or stiffen sheepskin, all of our experts suggested using baking soda and cornstarch for removing odors.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Do not use warm or hot water since this can actually cause the blood to coagulate.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
20 Jan. 2026
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The honey was too thick and caused the sauce to kind of coagulate.—
Brittany Loggins,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
With that drama in the past, the team quickly jelled on the ice.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
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Injuries have loomed large for Kings The Kings’ unbalanced roster hasn’t jelled, and the team has sparsely played well during a mostly miserable season on the court.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
7 Feb. 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 26 Feb. 2026.
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