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
The plot continues to thicken as March 30 marks the beginning of Neptune’s journey through Aries after transiting in Pisces since 2011.
—
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Twists On Tradition Throughout the bushwacker’s history, different places have put their own spin on the ingredient list, but the drink usually contains some combo of rum, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, amaretto and coconut cream, thickened with milk, half-and-half or ice cream.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2025
The eye flattens due to fluid redistribution, the retinal nerve fiber layer can thicken, and there is a refractive shift so the vision can blur in space.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
The plot has thickened in a power struggle over Hilma af Klint‘s legacy, with her great-grandnephew, the chair of the late artist’s eponymous foundation, now seeking to keep her paintings in a private temple accessible only to spiritual seekers.
—Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thicken
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.
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Twists On Tradition Throughout the bushwacker’s history, different places have put their own spin on the ingredient list, but the drink usually contains some combo of rum, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, amaretto and coconut cream, thickened with milk, half-and-half or ice cream.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2025
The eye flattens due to fluid redistribution, the retinal nerve fiber layer can thicken, and there is a refractive shift so the vision can blur in space.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
The plot has thickened in a power struggle over Hilma af Klint‘s legacy, with her great-grandnephew, the chair of the late artist’s eponymous foundation, now seeking to keep her paintings in a private temple accessible only to spiritual seekers.
—Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 13 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share