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 This fruit cobbler starts with a base of fresh strawberries and blueberries tossed with sugar and cornstarch to sweeten and thicken. — Terrence Hayes, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026 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 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
  • Offering a 35% incentive aimed at stiffening up jobs here and enticing post-production to relocate to the Golden State, AB 2319 is racing toward a vote in the state Senate by next week once the bill is in final shape.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Softening rather than stiffening when moving through space requires embracing your body’s natural sway and tiny micro-movements, like an ankle wobbling or knee jiggling.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of stiffen
Verb
  • Beresford says the real-life group had to be condensed for the stage, with composite characters like Reggie and Steph standing in for several real activists.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
  • What follows is an edited and condensed version of our Front Page Authority conversation.
    — Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of condense
Verb
  • This is to help chocolate layer not stick to sides when later hardened.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Gray’s challenge in such circumstances is to ensure that Blackstone’s pro-AI convictions don’t harden into a consensus his firm will regret if conditions change.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of harden
Verb
  • Sophie Richards waited five years for a diagnosis (the average is seven to 10 years), and has had four surgeries (plus freezing her eggs).
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Iceland’s freezing temperatures typically last about five months of the year, but the government has chosen a balmy summer day for its pivotal national referendum.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of freeze
Verb
  • Unrivaled has roughly 95 percent of its Season 3 rosters solidified, including new stars such as Olivia Miles, Gabby Williams and Marine Johannès, who are signed to multiyear deals.
    — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Ray Saldi, 60, voted for Graham and said the endorsements from officials in support of her were not what solidified the decision.
    — Saige Miller, NPR, 25 Aug. 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
  • 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
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Cite this Entry

“Thicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thicken. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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