1
a
: heat of mind or emotion : proneness to anger : passion
she has a real temper
b
: calmness of mind : composure
c
: state of feeling or frame of mind at a particular time usually dominated by a single strong emotion
d
: a characteristic cast of mind or state of feeling : disposition
2
3
a
: the state of a substance with respect to certain desired qualities (such as hardness, elasticity, or workability)
especially
: the degree of hardness or resiliency given steel by tempering
b
: the feel and relative solidity of leather
4
: a substance (such as a metal) added to or mixed with something else (such as another metal) to modify the properties of the latter
tempered; tempering
ˈtem-p(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to dilute, qualify, or soften by the addition or influence of something else : moderate
temper justice with mercy
2
a
: to anneal or toughen (glass) by a process of gradually heating and cooling
b(1)
: to harden (a material, such as steel) by reheating and cooling in oil
(2)
: to soften (a material, such as hardened steel or cast iron) by reheating at a lower temperature
3
: to make stronger and more resilient through hardship : toughen
troops tempered in battle
4
: to bring to a suitable state by mixing in or adding a usually liquid ingredient: such as
a
: to mix (clay) with water or a modifier (such as grog) and knead to a uniform texture
b
: to mix oil with (colors) in making paint ready for use
5
a
: to put in tune with something : attune
b
: to adjust the pitch of (a note, chord, or instrument) to a temperament
Did you know?
Mix Things Up With the Meaning of Temper
The temper root keeps its basic meaning—"to mix" or "to keep within limits"—in the English word temper. When you temper something, you mix it with some balancing quality or substance so as to avoid anything extreme. Thus, it's often said that a judge must temper justice with mercy. Young people only gradually learn to temper their natural enthusiasms with caution. And in dealing with others, we all try to temper our honesty with sensitivity.
Synonyms
Examples of temper in a Sentence
Noun
She has a bad temper.
That boy has quite a temper.
He needs to learn to control his temper.
She hit him in a fit of temper.
He slammed the door and left in a temper.
It's often difficult for parents not to lose their tempers.
He is in a pleasant temper.
Verb
The steel must be properly tempered.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kate Murphy, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024
There was a moment in this game where tempers got close to flaring after Berti turned a double play, stepping on his bag at first base before firing the ball to shortstop Anthony Volpe, who tagged Maikel Garcia out in the bottom of the sixth inning.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 11 Oct. 2024
Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 6 Nov. 2024
This has brought some criticism from Republicans, although his pro-conservative opinions in the most recent term seem to have tempered some of that anger.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for temper 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Some say communities should have a mix of political views to temper extremes, but in some instances, reaching across the aisle causes people to dig their heels in further, amplifying extremes, Desmarais tells Axios.
—Kate Murphy, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024
There was a moment in this game where tempers got close to flaring after Berti turned a double play, stepping on his bag at first base before firing the ball to shortstop Anthony Volpe, who tagged Maikel Garcia out in the bottom of the sixth inning.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 11 Oct. 2024
Verb
Whisking constantly, slowly add 1 cup of the hot broth to the egg mixture to temper.
—Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 6 Nov. 2024
This has brought some criticism from Republicans, although his pro-conservative opinions in the most recent term seem to have tempered some of that anger.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for temper
Articles Related to temper
Dictionary Entries Near temper
Cite this Entry
“Temper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temper. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
temper
1 of 2 verb
tem·per
ˈtem-pər
tempered; tempering
-p(ə-)riŋ
1
: moderate entry 2 sense 1, soften
temper justice with mercy
2
: to control by reducing : subdue
temper one's anger
3
: to bring (as steel or glass) to the desired hardness or strength by heating and cooling
4
: to be or become tempered
temper
2 of 2 noun1
: characteristic manner of feeling
the temper of the times
2
: the hardness or toughness of a substance
the temper of a knife blade
3
a
: a characteristic state of mind or state of feeling : disposition
b
: calmness of mind : composure
lost my temper
c
: state of feeling or state of mind at a particular time
d
: a state of anger
left in a temper
e
: the quality of being easily angered
has a hot temper
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