as in regulates
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
try to tame your language when you're in front of the kids
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Recent Examples of tames
The addition of a deeply hued wine reduction, like balsamic vinegar from another world, tames what could have been a dish that ate too sweet.
—
Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
Straight out of the box, this extra-toasty cereal seems too sweet, but a splash of milk tames the sugar, and the squares don’t dissolve into mush in a bowl with milk.
—Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
The silk texture tames any flyaways without weighing the hair down.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
The star ingredient, agave extract, locks in moisture and tames frizz, while wheat protein and sweet almond oil help soften your strands.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
The conditioner’s nourishing formula also tames frizz, boosts moisture, and enhances shine.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
Leadfooted drivers in Arizona whose licenses are in jeopardy of being revoked or suspended could someday opt for new technology that tames their speeding habits.
—Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 28 Oct. 2025
The key is to blanch the slices in the pasta water first, which tames their bitterness, then to give them a quick sear in olive oil, which caramelizes their edges.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
The fresh piney fragrance of rosemary not only jazzes up boring chicken and tames gamey lamb but also snaps memory back into shape.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
Straight out of the box, this extra-toasty cereal seems too sweet, but a splash of milk tames the sugar, and the squares don’t dissolve into mush in a bowl with milk.
—Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
The silk texture tames any flyaways without weighing the hair down.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
The star ingredient, agave extract, locks in moisture and tames frizz, while wheat protein and sweet almond oil help soften your strands.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
The conditioner’s nourishing formula also tames frizz, boosts moisture, and enhances shine.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
Leadfooted drivers in Arizona whose licenses are in jeopardy of being revoked or suspended could someday opt for new technology that tames their speeding habits.
—Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 28 Oct. 2025
The key is to blanch the slices in the pasta water first, which tames their bitterness, then to give them a quick sear in olive oil, which caramelizes their edges.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
The fresh piney fragrance of rosemary not only jazzes up boring chicken and tames gamey lamb but also snaps memory back into shape.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tames
Verb
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Snack Foods High in Potassium Potassium regulates blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and promoting sodium excretion in the urine.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
11 May 2026
-
Asparagus is a nutrient-rich vegetable with several compounds that directly affect how your body regulates blood pressure.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Barker’s other heroes include Nathan Fielder and Tim Robinson, comics whose work contains an undeniable dark streak, and who share his prankster’s spirit and high tolerance for unease.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
The system contains a black hole and a massive blue supergiant star orbiting each other.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
Verb
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The boat holds a cluster of restaurants that draw a steady stream of Cairo locals, which keeps the dining scene feeling lively well into the evening.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Instagram keeps a close relationship with fashion, tapping former Lucky editor-in-chief Eva Chen as head of partnerships.—
Roy Stephen Canivel,
Footwear News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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At certain points in the novel, that distance calcifies and restrains his writing.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
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And most of the officials agreed that the Fed’s key rate is close to a level that neither stimulates nor restrains the economy.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Russian advances have slowed this year, though Moscow controls just under one fifth of Ukrainian territory.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
10 May 2026
-
Russian advances have slowed this year, though Moscow controls just under one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.—
Guy Faulconbridge,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Their approach suppresses interference that normally disrupts signal quality during wide-angle scanning.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
-
The procedural hearing was scheduled to discuss a gag order that suppresses the identities of victims and survivors of the attack who have not chosen to identify themselves publicly.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 May 2026
Verb
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Balance the state budget and tackle affordability while working with cities to promote small businesses to hire more by creating a business friendly environment such as cutting taxes and cutting red tape that stifles growth.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
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Conversely, destructive energy hinders performance, breeds resentment, and stifles innovation.—
Rebecca Ahmed,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tames. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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