Synonyms of leaven

leaven

verb

as in to enliven

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enliven
• animate
• invigorate
• infuse
• inculcate
• imbue
• inoculate
• suffuse
• steep
• permeate
• pervade
• charge
• indue
• instill
• plant
• engrain
• endue
• saturate
• invest
• impregnate
• implant
• fill
• overwhelm
• flood
• ingrain
• inundate
• submerge
• drown
• deluge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deprive
• take (away)
• remove
• eliminate
• strip
• clear
• divest
• empty

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb leaven differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of leaven are imbue, infuse, ingrain, inoculate, and suffuse. While all these words mean "to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout," leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

When is it sensible to use imbue instead of leaven?

The words imbue and leaven are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

When would infuse be a good substitute for leaven?

The synonyms infuse and leaven are sometimes interchangeable, but infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

In what contexts can ingrain take the place of leaven?

Although the words ingrain and leaven have much in common, ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

When might inoculate be a better fit than leaven?

The meanings of inoculate and leaven largely overlap; however, inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

When could suffuse be used to replace leaven?

While the synonyms suffuse and leaven are close in meaning, suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of leaven

There are leavening notes here and there: a jazzy sliver of cruciferousness from the cabbage that comes with the kalua pork, or the sharp whistle of vinegar that runs through the thin, sweet sauce drizzled over the juicy, panko-crisped chicken katsu (my clear favorite of the proteins). —Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2025

Jewish outrage over the extremism has also been leavened by the seemingly unconditional support for Israel among Trump, Musk and others in the president’s circle, along with Trump’s pledge to punish anti-Israel protesters on college campuses. —Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025

But the filmmakers leaven the mood before the hammer drops with a lovely interlude at the Omaha Zoo, an idea planted in Ella’s head by a friendly young mother in line to pay at a gas station. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2025

Theroux brings a mix of brash magnetism and commanding frankness to his recurring appearances as Cam, while MacArthur leavens Ness’ doofus, manchild tendencies with an appealing earnestness. —EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025