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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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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Hopson cuts, washes, steams, fries, freezes then refries his Kennebec potatoes for an ultra crisp and fluffy bite.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
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The fruit freezes beautifully, and frozen mango is a delicious addition to smoothies, desserts, and cocktails.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Whether schools catch up, whether employers reverse the junior hiring freeze, and whether Washington produces anything resembling a workforce policy will determine whether the current anxiety hardens into something permanent.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
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The initially soft capsule is further processed in a specialized structure called the ventral pedal gland near the muscular foot of the whelk, which cross-links the capsule proteins and hardens the structure before it is laid.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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The woman—Rose, apparently—stiffens slightly.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 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 1 May. 2026.
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