ANNEAL Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

anneal

verb

Definition of anneal

as in to harden

to make stronger (as through hardship) She was annealed by the tragedies of her childhood.

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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.

Recent Examples of anneal Engineers sparingly tried annealing hardware space, so Juno's experience could be instructive for future missions. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025 They’re served in a heap in a bowl, the logs of potato annealed, shiny and splotched with balsamic vinegar. — Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025 Workable quantum solutions that make use of annealing systems are now in use. — Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025 After annealing, the links are strong covalent bonds [below]. — IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for anneal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anneal

Verb

This is to help chocolate layer not stick to sides when later hardened.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Gray’s challenge in such circumstances is to ensure that Blackstone’s pro-AI convictions don’t harden into a consensus his firm will regret if conditions change.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of harden

Verb

While Liang’s ties with the government have strengthened, his tech bets appear to be a convergence with Beijing’s priorities rather than state-directed, Wang noted.

— Anniek Bao,Elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
When applied to the scalp, certain peptides can send signals that promote follicle function, extend the growth phase of the hair cycle, and strengthen the tissue surrounding the follicle.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of strengthen

Verb

The richest division in the sport might be the strongest, but financial rules, now both domestic and foreign, will do little to temper the advantage of the highest-earners.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Heat and drought were destroying the measures meant to temper them.

— Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of temper

Verb

The look also pulls from indie sleaze, which Trendalytics reports is up 80% in social buzz, reinforcing the messy, early-2000s finish that defines the trend.

— Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Both formulas pair moisture-drawing glycerin with pea peptide and a trio of ceramides to condition and reinforce dry, stressed hair.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of reinforce

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annals

anneal

annealed

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“Anneal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anneal. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of anneal

verb

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