curdle

verb

cur·​dle ˈkər-dᵊl How to pronounce curdle (audio)
curdled; curdling
ˈkərd-liŋ, 
ˈkər-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce curdle (audio)
Synonyms of curdlenext

intransitive verb

1
: to form curds
also : to congeal as if by forming curds
a scream curdled in her throat
2
: to go bad or wrong : spoil

transitive verb

1
: to cause curds to form in
curdled milk
2
: spoil, sour

Examples of curdle in a Sentence

Too much heat will make the custard curdle. Too much heat will curdle the custard.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Deadline has reviewed Kavanagh’s legal filings and spoken to people familiar with the dispute to understand how relations curdled. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026 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 My final attempt in the test kitchen was close, but the sour cream had curdled. — Los Angeles Times, 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 See All Example Sentences for curdle

Word History

Etymology

metathetic variant of cruddle, crudle, frequentative of crud entry 2

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curdle was in 1585

Phrases Containing curdle

Rhymes for curdle

See All Rhymes for curdle

Browse Nearby Words

curd knife
curdle
curdly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curdle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curdle. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

curdle

verb
cur·​dle ˈkərd-ᵊl How to pronounce curdle (audio)
curdled; curdling ˈkərd-liŋ How to pronounce curdle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to form curds
2
: to cause curds to form in
high heat curdled the custard
3
—used in expressions such as make one's blood curdle to indicate a feeling of terror
a ghost story that will make your blood curdle

More from Merriam-Webster on curdle

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for curdle

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