as in to harden
to make stronger (as through hardship)
She was annealed by the tragedies of her childhood.
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Recent Examples of anneal
Workable quantum solutions that make use of annealing systems are now in use.
—
Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
These services provide access to advanced quantum computing technologies, including annealing quantum computers with over 5,000 qubits and quantum-classical hybrid solvers capable of tackling complex problems involving up to one million variables.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Quantum annealing: This term is borrowed from annealing, a process that uses heat to alter the physical or chemical properties of a metal, glass, or plastic film to increase ductility and reduce hardness.
—Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2024
In this instance, after annealing, nanoplastic molecules are physically bound together with the molecules of tetracycline.
—Joe Salas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2024
Kaveh was certainly born a good person, but his overwhelming personal grace and the power of his art were annealed into their pure form by the white-hot fire of his addiction.
—Lauren Groff, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
Bound wafers and chips are then heated slowly (a process called annealing) to form stronger chemical bonds.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2024
And researchers from Applied Materials presented progress on a method to radically reduce the time needed for annealing—from hours to just 5 minutes.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2024
For applications requiring a more pure silica glass, the residual organics can be removed by annealing the structures at 900° Celsius (1,652° F)—an extra step, granted, but at a much lower temperature than the usual extra sintering step.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 7 July 2023
Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
These services provide access to advanced quantum computing technologies, including annealing quantum computers with over 5,000 qubits and quantum-classical hybrid solvers capable of tackling complex problems involving up to one million variables.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Quantum annealing: This term is borrowed from annealing, a process that uses heat to alter the physical or chemical properties of a metal, glass, or plastic film to increase ductility and reduce hardness.
—Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2024
In this instance, after annealing, nanoplastic molecules are physically bound together with the molecules of tetracycline.
—Joe Salas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2024
Kaveh was certainly born a good person, but his overwhelming personal grace and the power of his art were annealed into their pure form by the white-hot fire of his addiction.
—Lauren Groff, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
Bound wafers and chips are then heated slowly (a process called annealing) to form stronger chemical bonds.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2024
And researchers from Applied Materials presented progress on a method to radically reduce the time needed for annealing—from hours to just 5 minutes.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2024
For applications requiring a more pure silica glass, the residual organics can be removed by annealing the structures at 900° Celsius (1,652° F)—an extra step, granted, but at a much lower temperature than the usual extra sintering step.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 7 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anneal
Verb
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Tomato seedlings that aren't hardened off can struggle to grow or adapt to the outdoor climate after transplanting.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
23 Mar. 2025
-
March 27 is an opportunity to dissolve barriers between the heart and the soul, and to soften the edges where hurt has hardened us.—
Colin Bedell,
Them,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In addition to Nixon’s EPA, President Teddy Roosevelt created the national parks, George H.W. Bush strengthened the Clean Air Act and George W. Bush set tougher rules on diesel truck emissions and the first guidelines for mercury pollution from power plants.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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In addition to rosemary oil, this formula also contains plant proteins that strengthen the hair (leading to less breakage—something that can make your hair appear thinner) and hydrating ceramides.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The slightly curved wand coats each lash in nourishing ingredients—biotin helps to fortify lashes to protect against breakage, while antioxidant-rich ingredients like peptides, vitamin E, and panthenol help to condition and hydrate.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2025
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Though the Steelers have made a concerted effort to fortify the trenches, this move that’s felt inevitable for some time.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Memon said this is a bittersweet Ramadan as it has been tempered the last couple of years over what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2025
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Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Servings: 6 On its own, rhubarb can be a little intense, but tempered by the sweetness of strawberries (also in season in the spring), the tart fruit provides just the right amount of tang.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In 2017, the La Jolla Development Permit Review Committee approved a project to reinforce the lower third of the bluff with erodible concrete.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
-
What To Know After Trump threatened to cut off U.S. support for Ukraine and criticized Europe for its military reliance on Washington, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen devised a plan to reinforce the EU's defense capabilities.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anneal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anneal. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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