THICKEN Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

thicken

verb

Definition of thicken

as in to stiffen

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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 thicken After cooking for 10–15 minutes, add flour to thicken the mixture, and pour in the chicken stock, cream, and seasonings. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2026 The cells thicken a patient’s blood, putting them at higher risk for life-threatening heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. — Jason Mast, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026 Add the coconut milk in four or five batches, stirring and letting things bubble vigorously for 3 to 8 minutes to reduce and thicken slightly before adding the next batch. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 Temper the egg and cheese mixture with hot pasta water, then toss it with the spaghetti off the heat so the eggs thicken into a silky sauce instead of scrambling. — Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thicken

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thicken

Verb

The Chiefs’ defense stiffened and Indy faced a fourth-and-8 from the 15-yard line.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
Over time, smoking can narrow and stiffen blood vessels and accelerate cardiovascular disease.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of stiffen

Verb

As winds are forced up to 13,000 feet along the steep slopes of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, rapidly condensing air will squeeze out extra precipitation thanks to orographic lift.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026
The best way to manage that is with compression packing cubes that condense your clothes and free up space in your carry-on for more items.

— Brandon Schultz, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of condense

Verb

Gently Scrape It Off Once the wax has fully hardened, use a dull tool, like as a butter knife or hard plastic spatula, to gently lift it off the fabric.

— Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
The researchers say the mixture, once dried and hardened, is comparable in strength to low-grade concrete and could one day be used to build multi-story buildings on Mars.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of harden

Verb

When you thaw meat at room temperature, the exterior can warm up into this zone while the interior is still frozen.

— Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
That creates friction with organizations pre-wired to freeze configurations, validate extensively and minimize variation before production.

— Rajjie Sarmey, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of freeze

Verb

And of course, the success would be to meet the first wholesalers to be able to connect with a new audience and to solidify the structure of the brand.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Air France’s La Première just won the World's Best First Class Award at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, solidifying its reputation as the crème de la crème of commercial aviation.

— Emily Adler Sach, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of solidify

Verb

But Buddy, the feature debut of Casper Kelly, lets the genre’s relentlessly upbeat tone slowly curdle in the opening sequence, in which one of the kids refuses to play along with day’s lesson about being brave and trying new things.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Yet there is little time for the thought to curdle, because this game is a Monday night maelstrom.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of curdle

Verb

The army has published footage of rescues via helicopter, and of people being pulled out of the hydropower tunnels, completely caked in mud.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Fore says borax can cake up and leave residue behind if it isn’t fully dissolved and rinsed out.

— Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of cake

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“Thicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thicken. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of thicken

verb

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