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 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 Outside the Coca-Cola Fan Zone, the crowd started to thicken, and the Waldo army was joined by the blue and yellow of the Bosnian flag. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 7 July 2026 Clouds will thicken up this afternoon, and the threat of showers and thundershowers will increase later today. — Aaron Mentkowski, New York Times, 5 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
  • This same rule applies to cake stands, dutch ovens, and other serving pieces.
    — Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 31 July 2026
  • When the rescue team found the cat, its eyes were caked with dust and debris, and after extraction, the feline received hydration and medical care.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
Definition of cake

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thicken
thickened
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Cite this Entry

“Thicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thicken. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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