leaven

It was Thoreau who remarked that “the transcendental philosophy needs the leaven of humor to render it light and digestible,” and one wishes at times that Mr. Nichols wrote with a lighter touch.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

I also used to leaven the proceedings with humor.

From Salon ● Feb. 2, 2024

She tries to leaven that determination by arguing that Congress would be unlikely to pass one.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 26, 2024

An hour or two each week grappling with wood planks or mixing batter can leaven a long and monotonous school day.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 13, 2023

A leaven of love was left, it is true— Lancelot, Gareth, Aglovale and a few old dodderers like Sir Grummore and Sir Palomides: but the tone was set elsewhere.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

The film leavens its comprehensive pessimism only through the shimmering brilliance of its execution.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 6, 2026

Whether the songs are presented in their orchestral splendor or as frenetic electronica, each needle drop leavens the natural comedy of John’s frantic awkwardness or captures his chronic sorrow.

From Salon ● Mar. 26, 2025

The yeast is tolerant of this acidic environment, and it ferments carbohydrates other than maltose to produce the carbon dioxide that leavens the bread.

From Scientific American ● Nov. 1, 2023

The book is studded with commanding color photography and graphics, creating an immersive landscape that leavens the dense text.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 10, 2023

It will be perceived that Oswald Melvin had all the aggressive independence of Young Australia without the virility which leavens the truer type.

From Stingaree by E. W. (Ernest William) Hornung

To begin with, there’s its ingratiating style, leisurely but leavened with wit and chutzpah, as well as Fiedler’s pervasive disdain for the sentimental and ersatz.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

The 65-year-old came to court in downtown Los Angeles for closing arguments this month in one of the biggest trials of his career, armed with a parable of leavened bread.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 28, 2026

Arturo Enciso is known for the naturally leavened sourdough breads and pastries at his Long Beach bakery Gusto, including his hueso baguettes and conchas de cacao.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2024

It must be leavened with love and imagination.

From Seattle Times ● May 6, 2024

Most of them were smallfolk: crofters, fieldhands, fishermen, sheepherders, the sons of innkeeps and traders and tanners, leavened with a smattering of sellswords and freeriders hungry for plunder.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

He frequently leans into his religious upbringing – as the grandson of a Southern Baptist preacher who spent time in a seminary – leavening his stump speeches with biblical references.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026

The natural leavening gives them a lighter, crispier crust and an airy, mildly tangy crumb.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 9, 2026

Seven years after her father’s disappearance, Diamond Newberry and her mother are struggling, but Diamond’s observations provide comic leavening.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2024

They are also what make it rise in the absence of other leavening agents.

From Salon ● Apr. 30, 2024

From morning to night, he displayed cool and reasoned leadership, with his humor leavening even the most difficult crisis.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela