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

/ ˈswiːtən /

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. informal.
   poker to enlarge (the pot) by adding chips

Other Words From

• non·sweetened adjective
• outsweeten verb (used with object)
• over·sweeten verb (used with object)
• pre·sweeten verb (used with object)
• re·sweeten verb
• un·sweetened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweeten¹

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

Example Sentences

Sellers can still pay the buyer’s agent fee in order to sweeten the deal.

From Salon

Sometimes manufacturers sweeten lease deals to make them less expensive than an equivalent loan, but usually you’ll pay a lot more over time leasing than you would buying.

From Los Angeles Times

I look to its underside for a yellow, not white, ground spot, an indication of having been in the field longer, which is a big plus because a watermelon does not continue to ripen and sweeten once it is cut from its vine.

From Salon

Sweeten warm tea with 1 cup of sugar.

From Salon

It is an appealing characteristic that could sweeten the Democratic ticket.

From BBC

Related Words

• mull