sweetening

1 of 2

noun

sweet·​en·​ing ˈswē-tᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce sweetening (audio)
ˈswēt-niŋ
Synonyms of sweeteningnext
: something that sweetens

sweetening

2 of 2

present participle of sweeten

Examples of sweetening in a Sentence

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.
Noun
Dates and tapioca syrup do all the sweetening, which lands it at a Goldilocks level of sweet with no refined sugar. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026 When potatoes are stored below about 42°F, their starch begins converting into sugar—a process known as cold-induced sweetening. — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026 Sugar levels are similar across the category; the real differentiators are fiber and what’s doing the sweetening. — Kansas City Star, 5 May 2026 The most inexcusable of these mandates in recent times was Springfield’s sweetening of pension benefits for certain police and firefighters in Chicago in 2025. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sweetening

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweetening was in 1819

Browse Nearby Words

sweetener
sweetening
sweeten up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sweetening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweetening. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sweetening

noun
sweet·​en·​ing
1
: the act or process of making sweet
2
: something that sweetens

More from Merriam-Webster on sweetening

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sweetening

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sweetening

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