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View synonyms for

sweeten

[sweet-n]

verb (used with object)

  1. to make sweet, as by adding sugar.

  2. to make mild or kind; soften.

  3. to lessen the acridity or pungency of (a food) by prolonged cooking.

  4. to reduce the saltiness of (a food or dish) by diluting with water, milk, or other liquid.

  5. to make (the breath, room air, etc.) sweet or fresh, as with a mouthwash, spray, etc.

  6. (in musical recording) to add musical instruments to (an arrangement), especially strings for a lusher sound.

  7. Chemistry.

    1. to make (the stomach, soil, etc.) less acidic, as by means of certain preparations, chemicals, etc.

    2. to remove sulfur and its compounds from (oil or gas).

  8. Informal.

    1. to enhance the value of (loan collateral) by including additional or especially valuable securities.

    2. to add to the value or attractiveness of (any proposition, holding, etc.).

  9. to add more liquor to (an alcoholic drink).

  10. Poker.to add stakes to (a pot) before opening.



verb (used without object)

  1. to become sweet or sweeter.

sweeten

/ ˈɾːə /

verb

  1. (also intr) to make or become sweet or sweeter

  2. to mollify or soften (a person)

  3. to make more agreeable

  4. (also intr) chem to free or be freed from unpleasant odours, acidic or corrosive substances, or the like

  5. finance to raise the value of (loan collateral) by adding more securities

  6. informalpoker to enlarge (the pot) by adding chips

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • nonsweetened adjective
  • outsweeten verb (used with object)
  • oversweeten verb (used with object)
  • presweeten verb (used with object)
  • resweeten verb
  • unsweetened adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sweeten1

First recorded in 1545–55; sweet + -en 1
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A home has since been found for the survivors, though saying goodbye was "emotional – but sweetened by the satisfaction of knowing the litter would have a bright future".

From

Decades of smashing overheads in tennis would sweeten me to Noah like no candy apple could.

From

You could also get creative and ask for utility bill payments, soil and water testing, moving costs and whatever else might sweeten the deal.

From

Ava sweetens the moment by telling her mentor that this token is something they should have shared a long time ago.

From

It's a typically irreverent comment, an example of the dry wit she uses to sweeten the sincerity and anger of her music.

From

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