thickened; thickening
ˈthi-kə-niŋ 
ˈthik-
1
a
: to become dense
the mist thickened
b
: to become concentrated in numbers, mass, or frequency
2
: to grow blurred or obscure
3
: to grow broader or bulkier
4
: to grow complicated or keen
the plot thickens
1
a
: to make thick, dense, or viscous in consistency
thicken gravy with flour
b
: to make close or compact
2
: to increase the depth or diameter of
3
: to make inarticulate : blur
alcohol thickened his speech
Examples of thicken in a Sentence
I thickened the gravy with flour.
When the mixture thickens, add the remaining ingredients.
The fog thickened when night fell.
Recent Examples on the Web
Fried thigh strips pop out against a frilly red and green spring mix, apple and carrot slivers, ever-present blue cheese crumbles and an apple cider vinaigrette thickened with egg yolks, which is also used in Pangaea’s slaw.
—
Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2025
Tester review: This thickening shampoo was one of my holy grails during a period of time where my hair was thinning around the crown of my head.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 19 Feb. 2025
The potatoes, meanwhile, absorb those stronger flavors while their neat edges soften and tiny bits of potato slough off, gently thickening the soup.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025
Adding bacterial culture to milk thickens the mixture and adds a tangy taste.1 Most types of low-fat or nonfat yogurt have a smooth, creamy texture.
—Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thicken
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Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2025
Tester review: This thickening shampoo was one of my holy grails during a period of time where my hair was thinning around the crown of my head.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 19 Feb. 2025
The potatoes, meanwhile, absorb those stronger flavors while their neat edges soften and tiny bits of potato slough off, gently thickening the soup.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025
Adding bacterial culture to milk thickens the mixture and adds a tangy taste.1 Most types of low-fat or nonfat yogurt have a smooth, creamy texture.
—Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thicken
Cite this Entry
“Thicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thicken. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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