sweeten

[sweet-n] / ˈswit n /

VERB

add sugar

Synonyms

STRONGEST

mull

STRONG

candy sugar

WEAK

add sweetening candy-coat make sweet make toothsome sugar-coat

Antonyms

WEAK

salt sour

VERB

make happy; appease

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alleviate

STRONG

assuage conciliate honey mollify pacify placate propitiate soothe

WEAK

soften up

Antonyms

STRONG

agitate incite upset worry

WEAK

displease disrupt trouble

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

New, massive ships filled with amenities and private islands helped sweeten the deal.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

In an interview the CNBC, Ackman said that this was meant to sweeten the deal for IPO investors.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026

Returning to either tour requires eating a slice of humble pie and, for some, paying a fortune to sweeten the deal.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

To sweeten the deal: “I’ll cook for him. I would make him all his favorite dishes.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

To sweeten the deal, he agreed to double whatever salary Yardley had offered them.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield