LEAVEN Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'leaven' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of leaven are imbue , infuse , ingrain , inoculate , and suffuse . While all these words mean "to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout," leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality. // a serious play leavened with comic moments

Q: When is it sensible to use 'imbue' instead of 'leaven'?

The words imbue and leaven are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being. // imbue students with intellectual curiosity

Q: When would 'infuse' be a good substitute for 'leaven'?

The synonyms infuse and leaven are sometimes interchangeable, but infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance. // new members infused enthusiasm into the club

Q: In what contexts can 'ingrain' take the place of 'leaven'?

Although the words ingrain and leaven have much in common, ingrain , used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait. // clung to ingrained habits

Q: When might 'inoculate' be a better fit than 'leaven'?

The meanings of inoculate and leaven largely overlap; however, inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety. // an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

Q: When could 'suffuse' be used to replace 'leaven'?

While the synonyms suffuse and leaven are close in meaning, suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality. // a room suffused with light

leaven

verb

Definition of leaven next

as in to enliven

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb leaven differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of leaven are imbue, infuse, ingrain, inoculate, and suffuse. While all these words mean "to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout," leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

When is it sensible to use imbue instead of leaven?

The words imbue and leaven are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

When would infuse be a good substitute for leaven?

The synonyms infuse and leaven are sometimes interchangeable, but infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

In what contexts can ingrain take the place of leaven?

Although the words ingrain and leaven have much in common, ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

When might inoculate be a better fit than leaven?

The meanings of inoculate and leaven largely overlap; however, inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

When could suffuse be used to replace leaven?

While the synonyms suffuse and leaven are close in meaning, suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

Examples Sentences

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 leaven The central duo carries the show with winning chemistry, leavening a dark mystery with a charming portrait of female friendship. —

Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 11 Sep. 2024 What might have been a 13-hour door-to-door trip was instead, leavened by a pair of delays, 22 hours. —

Asher Price, Axios, 6 Aug. 2024 The companionable dynamics in his scenes with Melling and Kene are a treat and help to leaven the languor that sets in the back-half of the run-time. —

Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2024 Often belittled, that desire -- leavened by a healthy dose of Yankee self-interest -- continues to drive the relationship between the two Pacific powers today. —

John Pomfret, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013 See all Example Sentences for leaven

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaven

Verb

Further flocks punctuated the low simmer of solitary birds, periodically enlivening the quiet day with similar bursts of activity.

Jack Gedney, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024
This recipe cooks them in an unabashed tomato sauce enlivened with preserved lemon.

Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appétit, 1 Dec. 2024