1
as in freezes
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 gels
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
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Recent Examples of congeals
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
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congeals
Verb
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The surface freezes first, and the sheet thickens downward.—
Deena Theresa,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
-
The largest region that produces winter wheat -- the Great Plains stretching from Montana to Texas -- has been hit the hardest by drought as well as some spring freezes, Rippey added.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Leaders start trusting that past wins will carry them forward, and the trust hardens into something that no longer gets examined.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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The process relies on urushi, a natural lacquer derived from tree sap that hardens over time into a durable, food-safe coating.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Golden State’s schedule stiffens with an upcoming trip to New York and Indiana.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
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The rings arise because the metal softens as the can compresses, then stiffens, then compresses and stiffens again, repeating the pattern until the compression is complete—akin to something called homoclinic snaking.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 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
Cite this Entry
“Congeals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congeals. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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