1
as in freezing
to become physically firm or solid
the surface of the pond congealed after several days of frigid temperatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gelling
to turn from a liquid into a substance resembling jelly
the gravy had already started to congeal by the time the waiter served our dinners
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of congealing
Slowing and congealing the formless language of my thoughts.
—
Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congealing
Verb
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Once trapped, the ions are reduced to a ground state through lasers, similar to what freezing them at absolute zero achieves.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
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But don't stick the bottle in the garden shed where it will be subjected to freezing.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Some recipes also include pectin, a natural gelling agent that helps the jam set to a spreadable texture.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
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The Rangers’ power play has caught fire in the last three games, with the new top unit of Lafrenière, Perreault, Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck and Adam Fox gelling quickly after a feeling-out period.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Chinese officials were unsure what to make of Pete Hegseth’s presence — whether it was meant to convey a softer stance, a hardening one, or simply an ignorance of basic diplomatic protocol.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
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The Timberwolves, who have made the past two Western Conference finals and endured their share of hardening heartbreaks, showed their quality in the critical moments.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
Verb
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The machine dryer agitates the clothing and prevents fibers from stiffening during drying, which is why clothing comes out feeling soft.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
23 Feb. 2026
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The Czech Republic’s new government will seek to transform the defense industry into an engine of the nation’s export economy as the flagship auto sector faces stiffening competition, Karel Havlicek, minister for industry and trade, told us.—
Suzanne Lynch,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As most of the scientific books tell us, coagulating protein at lower temperatures produces more tender clumps; adding a little water or cream makes an omelet tenderer still.—
Jeffrey Steingarten,
Vogue,
5 Apr. 2026
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Two dented blue bottles of Cuajo Titanium, a liquid coagulating enzyme used to curdle milk, remained on a wooden table, caked in mud.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Compression socks can also help, though anyone with blood-clotting issues should consult their doctor before wearing them.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
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Both clotting and bleeding disorders are usually inherited or acquired, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Congealing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congealing. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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