thickening

1 of 2

noun

thick·​en·​ing ˈthi-kə-niŋ How to pronounce thickening (audio)
ˈthik-
Synonyms of thickeningnext
1
: a thickened part or place
2
: the act of making or becoming thick
3
: something used to thicken

thickening

2 of 2

present participle of thicken

Examples of thickening 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
To achieve this, the team used methyl cellulose (a thickening agent) mixed with various additives to create a texture similar to oatmeal. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 There are some great deals on leave-in conditioner and hair masks, too, like this smoothing formula from L’Oréal Paris, plus strand-thickening formulas that can help add density and control shedding in thinning areas. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026 Achieve a similar look by prepping hair with a thickening cream, then blow-drying it with a large round brush. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Oct. 2026 Neural cells form as a thickening of the ectoderm that runs down the center of the embryo from head to tail. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thickening

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thickening was in the 15th century

Rhymes for thickening

See All Rhymes for thickening

Browse Nearby Words

thickener
thickening
thicket
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Cite this Entry

“Thickening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thickening. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

thickening

noun
thick·​en·​ing
1
: the act of making or becoming thick
underwent a gradual thickening
2
: a thickened part or place
3
: something used to thicken

More from Merriam-Webster on thickening

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for thickening

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thickening

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