thicken

verb

Definition of thickennext
as in to stiffen

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 These trees naturally have shallow feeder root systems, and as the tree ages and grows, these roots thicken and break through the surface. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 19 July 2026 The conditions — including the air quality and visibility — improved as Friday progressed, but the National Weather Service warned the smoke could thicken overnight and into Saturday, when rain is expected. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026 Gengras hangs back, letting his synths thicken the air rather than leaping boldly to the front. — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 15 July 2026 Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the pudding begins to bubble and thicken, about 5 to 7 minutes. — ABC News, 9 July 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
  • Not to mention their unusually flexible blood vessels could also help compensate for stiffening heart tissue.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Even simple movements can encourage healthy blood flow and keep fascia from stiffening up.
    — Jennifer Heimlich, Time, 27 July 2026
Definition of stiffen
Verb
  • This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity and ease of reading.
    — Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The film’s final scene condenses a great deal of meaning into a single moment.
    — JD Linville, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of condense
Verb
  • Be sure to harden off the seedlings before transferring them to your garden.
    — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
  • This buildup, called plaque, narrows and hardens the arteries, causing health problems.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of harden
Verb
  • China’s imports of LNG from Russia across all routes surged nearly 28% in the first half of the year by volume as LNG exports from the Middle East froze due to the US-Iran war.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In 2014, around four thousand Americans chose to freeze their eggs, according to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.
    — Anna Russell, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of freeze
Verb
  • Popular with royalty and celebrities, the brand is expanding with its first flagship store on London's Sloane Square, solidifying its unique position between high street and heritage luxury.
    — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The revisions by Takaichi's government to the antiquated law is meant to solidify the principle of the crucial imperial bloodline but pushes aside the emperor’s daughter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of solidify
Verb
  • Across 17 tracks, guitar riffs curdle into sheets of distortion, melodies dissolve into electronic hiss, and grooves are chronically interrupted by fresh rhythmic detours.
    — Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Patriotism rooted in one or the other can curdle into cynicism or nihilism when confronted with evidence that confounds them.
    — Mark Brilliant, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of curdle
Verb
  • Cambridge City streets remained submerged in water Thursday or were otherwise caked in mud, said Oliver.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Hancock recommends using a gritty baking soda paste to scrub plant pots and gardening tools that have soil or debris caked on.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of cake

Browse Nearby Words

thick
thicken
thickened
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thicken. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on thicken

Nglish: Translation of thicken for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of divulge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All