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 Cook, stirring occasionally, until just starting to thicken, about 2 minutes. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026 Regional rivalries like the Border Showdown and Cy-Hawk Series thicken the air, too. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 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 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
  • But one of the positives Glenn highlighted was the defense stiffening in the red zone against Chicago, which went 2 of 7 inside the New York 20-yard line.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Avoiding harsh chemicals like bleach, fabric softeners, and the like will help keep your robe soft and absorbent as these formulas could break down the fabric, leave behind fabric-stiffening residue, or cause pilling and other concerns.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of stiffen
Verb
  • Under their proposal, the intervening day before a vote to break a filibuster would be eliminated and debate time condensed, removing dead time from the Senate floor.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Just as a still concentrates a large batch of weak liquid into a smaller batch of strong stuff, AI distillation condenses a big model into a smaller one that, ideally, acts like the original.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of condense
Verb
  • The gossip hardens into something more official, as fellow teachers and school authorities start to treat her personal life as a disciplinary matter.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Governments around the world are hardening their AI stances as more agentic hacks breach critical systems.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of harden
Verb
  • And scaling Everest to above 8,000 meters and bringing down a body that has been frozen in ice for three decades will push any team to its limit.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
  • This Mexican restaurant in Clearfork is known for its brisket tacos and strong drinks – their froze with rose and vodka has a two-drink limit.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of freeze
Verb
  • Chicago eventually captured its sixth championship in eight seasons, completing Jordan's legendary run with the franchise and further solidifying himself as the GOAT (Greatest of all Time) in my opinion.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The Fort Worth Southwest Raiders were looking to solidify their hold on third place in the district standings, while the Fort Worth Dunbar Wildcats hoped to climb out of fourth.
    — Shiloh Robinson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of solidify
Verb
  • These high-acidity juices can cause whey protein powder to coagulate and curdle.
    — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2026
  • 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
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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Cite this Entry

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

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