thicken

verb

Definition of thickennext
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 Allow the chicken stock and cream to reduce and thicken in the skillet before stirring in the Parmesan and mustard. — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2026 Powder laundry detergent will eventually clump, while liquid detergents may thicken or separate over time. — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Oct. 2026 The temples are thin metal arms that thicken toward the ends with plastic enclosures over the ear hooks that hold the glasses’ speakers, charging connector, and other components. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026 Nieusma recommends covering the paper bags with 2 to 4 inches of organic material like bark mulch, wood chips, compost, dry leaves, or straw to hide the paper bags and thicken the mulch. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thicken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thicken
  1. stiffen
  2. condense
  3. harden
  4. freeze
  5. solidify
  6. curdle
  7. cake
Verb
  • Some people stiffen up and look pretty uncomfortable in front of my big camera.
    — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The United States and its allies must strive to stiffen the security of their military research, production, and supply chains.
    — Sam Mullins, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of stiffen
Verb
  • The resplendent anime film, co-directed by Koichi Sasaki and Indian animator Ram Mohan, condenses the sprawling epic into just over two hours, simplifying it for younger viewers while still maintaining its violence and grandeur.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2026
  • A lot of it, in terms of footage, would be, like, six hours of people hanging out at dinner, getting condensed to a six-minute scene.
    — Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of condense
Verb
  • Matt Pender is the vice president of undergrounding and system hardening for PG&E.
    — Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Some stories can harden moral perception, of course, pushing us to dichotomize the purely good and the purely evil, as in the moral pornography of superhero comics and revenge flicks.
    — Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of harden
Verb
  • The questions about the papers were so significant that SSRN, the platform Polson used to share the research papers, took down the articles over the past month and froze the accounts used to post the works.
    — TODD WALLACK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • New grid connections around Dublin were effectively frozen for three years.
    — Serhiy Tokarev, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of freeze
Verb
  • But as the map has solidified in the last month, all three toss-ups now lean toward Democrats.
    — Maham Javaid, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Having monitors at polling places helps solidify confidence in elections.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of solidify
Verb
  • If your heat is too high, your sauce will break and curdle, which will make your sauce grainy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • These high-acidity juices can cause whey protein powder to coagulate and curdle.
    — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of curdle
Verb
  • The variable camshaft timing solenoids were caked with spent bearing debris; removing the timing chain cover revealed a pool of silvery gunk that collected at the bottom; and the oil pan is shinier than a spoon in the sun.
    — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The Hummer was found caked with mud, which Parker’s mother and sister said earlier this year was unusual and not from the driveway of the home that Parker shared with her mother.
    — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of cake

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thick
thicken
thickened
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Cite this Entry

“Thicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thicken. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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