tenderize

[ten-duh-rahyz] / ˈtɛn dəˌraɪz /

VERB

soften

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate alleviate cushion diminish dissolve ease lessen lighten lower mellow melt mitigate moderate modify relax relent temper thaw tone down weaken

STRONG

allay appease assuage bend disintegrate enfeeble give knead mash moisten mollify palliate qualify quell still subdue yield

WEAK

become tender turn down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aggravate agitate coagulate compliment excite heighten incite increase intensify irritate magnify rise solidify strengthen upset worsen

STRONG

disturb provoke

WEAK

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.

Yogurt doesn’t just tenderize; it creates a thin lactic crust that browns beautifully in a hot pan.

From Salon

In a baking pan, cook a snug bed of sliced potatoes in a little water to get a head start on tenderizing.

From The Wall Street Journal

After about an hour, the vinegar helps tenderize the red onion and asparagus, creating a crisp, bright salad that's truly sublime.

From Salon

“The tannins in the tea tenderize the chicken, and the sweetness from the tea and the soy sauce infuse into the chicken,” Biegel added.

From Salon

Clean your octopus, tenderize it, cure it with kosher salt, and chop it into chunks, then add it to the colander and repeat the process.

From Salon