1
as in froze
to become physically firm or solid
the surface of the pond congealed after several days of frigid temperatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gelled
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 congealed
Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 31 Oct. 2025
In particular, the bacon bits were chilled and all stuck together in one big, congealed lump along the inside of the bowl.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026
The queso started fine but eventually congealed into something that approximated lukewarm paste.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
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
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
Adjective
My heart eyes for the beets and the overall experience at Rose's almost blinded me from noticing the dressing was hardly a caramel, but rather a congealed marinade with a grainy mouthfeel.
—Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 31 Oct. 2025
In particular, the bacon bits were chilled and all stuck together in one big, congealed lump along the inside of the bowl.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Then they were scooped from the pot and set on a plate to rest, glistening and congealed, revealing the color of the filling within.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026
The queso started fine but eventually congealed into something that approximated lukewarm paste.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congealed
Adjective
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Its origins trace back to ancient China, where cooks discovered that coagulated soy milk could be pressed into soft, protein-rich curds and cubes.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Study co-author and project scientist John Dykema suggests that the large coagulated smoke particles could affect atmospheric circulation through local heating, potentially shifting jet streams.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Space.com,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The complaint alleges that the company froze his World Liberty Financial tokens after Sun refused to commit more money to the business.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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In the span of roughly seven months, the USDA froze the program’s grant funding, invited grantees to reapply without climate and DEI language, imposed sweeping new restrictions on solar on farmland, and closed future application cycles.—
Ayurella Horn-Muller,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Families pile in with kids decked out in their Sunday best — bows in their hair, fluffy dresses, cowlicks gelled down.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
-
His unfailing commitment to civilian authority gave time for government institutions to sink roots, and established norms that gelled into the professional ethos of our military today.—
Kori Schake,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The bread service is de rigueur French fine dining but gets a Tibetan twist, courtesy of elements like warm highland barley sourdough served with clotted yak milk.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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At Zain’s house, Yazid perched at the edge of his seat and stood up every time Zain’s mother came into the room, bringing first pomegranate sherbet, then food, several dishes served on a low table set in front of the sofa, and even a dessert, carrot halvah with clotted cream.—
Daniyal Mueenuddin,
New Yorker,
23 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But their hearts were hardened.—
Letters to the Editor,
Washington Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The judges also said the district court’s ruling violated a 1996 federal law that hardened immigration enforcement and restricted judicial power on immigration.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Cook and stir over medium until thickened and bubbly.—
Maddy Bendgen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
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But her thickened skin, along with her toughened reputation, felt supple now.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The journey of King Charles and the Queen consort had been planned for some time, well before relations between the United Kingdom and the United States stiffened due to international tensions, compounded by the assassination attempt on Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.—
Giorgia Olivieri,
Vanity Fair,
28 Apr. 2026
-
June stiffened, a pillar of ice.—
Meredith Maran,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Bad lemon curd is pasty, grainy, curdled or tooth-achingly sweet.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
One is cynical and snarky, with a sour-to-the-point-of-curdled view of humanity, and the other has a heart full of sentiment, drunk to the point of passing out on the milk of human kindness.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Congealed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congealed. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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