sweetening

verb

Definition of sweeteningnext
present participle of sweeten
as in enhancing
to make more desirable we really want you to work for our company—what can we do to sweeten the job offer?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sweetening Ellison clinched the deal by sweetening the offer price and bringing his father, Larry Ellison, in to personally guarantee funding. — Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026 Costner cited a scene in which Dunbar introduces the Lakota tribe to coffee and convinces them to partake by sweetening it heavily. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026 Caesars sportsbook is sweetening the deal for race night, giving new users the chance to earn 10 profit boost tokens of 100% when using code FOXNEWSDYW. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026 This quality of service at a massively low price is a good enough reason to make the switch, but the carrier is sweetening the pot. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026 Insufficient light reduces fruit production, stops the plums from sweetening, and leaves the tree vulnerable to fungal diseases. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 4 Aug. 2026 Rob McDaniel, executive chef of Bayonet and Helen in Birmingham, Alabama, supports this idea for sweetening your tea. — Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 18 July 2026 But my favorite might be the slaw dog, with coleslaw cooling and sweetening the slightly spicy chili beneath. — Usa Today Network, USA Today, 15 July 2026 Without the match sweetening the deal, the argument for prioritizing retirement contributions over debt payoff weakens somewhat — though the tax deduction on traditional 401(k) contributions still has value. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweetening
  1. enhancing
  2. improving
  3. ameliorating
Verb
  • Among the felony charges Textor faces are five counts of fraud against a financial institution, 13 counts of forgery, two counts of counterfeiting, five counts of fraud and seven counts of fraud with enhancing circumstances.
    — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Despite this, national reports indicate continued use of performance- and appearance-enhancing drugs, and increasing interest in them.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of enhancing
Verb
  • Boston Dynamics’ approach focuses on improving the connection between engineering and manufacturing, with faster component production and assembly intended to support more rapid development.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Seaport upgrades Ralliant to buy from neutral Seaport said the outlook is improving.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of improving
Verb
  • Skau warned that as attention turns towards ameliorating the security crisis, resources should not be taken away from addressing the surging humanitarian needs, which include more than 5 million people who do not have enough to eat.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
  • Taking control of the narrative is the first step to ameliorating the damage.
    — David Rivera, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of ameliorating

Browse Nearby Words

sweetened
sweetening
sweetens
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Cite this Entry

“Sweetening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweetening. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sweetening

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sweetening

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