1
as in to freeze
to become physically firm or solid
the surface of the pond congealed after several days of frigid temperatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to gel
to turn from a liquid into a substance resembling jelly
the gravy had already started to congeal by the time the waiter served our dinners
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of congeal
Behind an offensive line that has congealed into an elite unit in recent weeks, McCaffrey has hit his season-long runs in back-to-back weeks.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
When the cast finally congeals at Kyle’s summer solstice party, Rachel is right up in there in the mix.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
That narrow electoral majority never congealed into any kind of durable coalition.
—Shikha Dalmia, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2025
While the rest of Burning Man celebrated, Kruglov lay prostrate on the ground at a faraway campsite in a comparatively desolate section of Black Rock City, his throat slashed, as a puddle of blood congealed around his lifeless body.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for congeal
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
When the cast finally congeals at Kyle’s summer solstice party, Rachel is right up in there in the mix.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
That narrow electoral majority never congealed into any kind of durable coalition.
—Shikha Dalmia, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2025
While the rest of Burning Man celebrated, Kruglov lay prostrate on the ground at a faraway campsite in a comparatively desolate section of Black Rock City, his throat slashed, as a puddle of blood congealed around his lifeless body.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for congeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congeal
Verb
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The spike in fatal crashes during the first three months of 2026 follows an increase in crashes and fatalities attributed to Colorado’s relatively dry, clear road conditions and temperatures above freezing in November and December, which led to motorcyclists extending their riding.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
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Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani promised to address housing affordability in the city and work to freeze the rent.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Families pile in with kids decked out in their Sunday best — bows in their hair, fluffy dresses, cowlicks gelled down.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
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Some recipes also include pectin, a natural gelling agent that helps the jam set to a spreadable texture.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Lightly scrub grout or tile lines before buildup hardens further.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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Emery prefers his players to be battle-hardened and to be involved in matches, rather than just training.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Your Cardiovascular Health Can Improve Quickly Arteries naturally stiffen with age, which can raise your risk of heart attack and stroke.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
11 Apr. 2026
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The men’s Run 900 Ultra Black Shorts feature integrated Rheon technology, a reactive polymer that remains soft at rest but stiffens under pressure.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As most of the scientific books tell us, coagulating protein at lower temperatures produces more tender clumps; adding a little water or cream makes an omelet tenderer still.—
Jeffrey Steingarten,
Vogue,
5 Apr. 2026
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Two dented blue bottles of Cuajo Titanium, a liquid coagulating enzyme used to curdle milk, remained on a wooden table, caked in mud.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Barkey and Zegras are roommates — and jelled just as well as linemates.—
CBS News Philadelphia Staff,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
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From day one, everybody clicked and jelled well.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Before freezing, blanching the potatoes gelatinizes surface starches, and freezing encourages those starches to reorganize into a firmer structure.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
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Starches swell with heat and water, gelatinizing to give dough its airy lift.—
Sanjay Srivastava,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Congeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congeal. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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