as in to enliven
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Recent Examples of leaven
Some endearing personalities and moments leaven the more nerve-wracking episodes.
—
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 8 Jan. 2025
There are leavening notes here and there: a jazzy sliver of cruciferousness from the cabbage that comes with the kalua pork, or the sharp whistle of vinegar that runs through the thin, sweet sauce drizzled over the juicy, panko-crisped chicken katsu (my clear favorite of the proteins).
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2025
Jewish outrage over the extremism has also been leavened by the seemingly unconditional support for Israel among Trump, Musk and others in the president’s circle, along with Trump’s pledge to punish anti-Israel protesters on college campuses.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025
But the filmmakers leaven the mood before the hammer drops with a lovely interlude at the Omaha Zoo, an idea planted in Ella’s head by a friendly young mother in line to pay at a gas station.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaven
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 8 Jan. 2025
There are leavening notes here and there: a jazzy sliver of cruciferousness from the cabbage that comes with the kalua pork, or the sharp whistle of vinegar that runs through the thin, sweet sauce drizzled over the juicy, panko-crisped chicken katsu (my clear favorite of the proteins).
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2025
Jewish outrage over the extremism has also been leavened by the seemingly unconditional support for Israel among Trump, Musk and others in the president’s circle, along with Trump’s pledge to punish anti-Israel protesters on college campuses.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025
But the filmmakers leaven the mood before the hammer drops with a lovely interlude at the Omaha Zoo, an idea planted in Ella’s head by a friendly young mother in line to pay at a gas station.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaven
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaven
Verb
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There's the Vanilla Tincture India, vanilla derived from a CO2 extraction, vanilla extract, and an ultra-vanille accord—all enlivened by jasmine, sandalwood, and ambery notes.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
30 May 2025
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Inasmuch as emotional arcs are pitched toward the extreme, domestic and work settings are sketched with a keen anecdotal eye and enlivened with compelling details.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
22 May 2025
Verb
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As far as big-budget epic fantasy (that isn’t animated) that leaves us with The Rings Of Power, perhaps the most disappointing television series ever made, geared squarely at the most casual audience.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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With a career that spans over three decades, Wen has appeared in pretty much every major Hollywood franchise—from Star Wars to Disney to Marvel—and most famously provided the character voice for the warrior princess Mulan in the 1998 Disney animated musical.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
30 May 2025
Verb
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While the last release featured a punchy bright green hue and butter yellow, the newest collection includes a vibrant royal blue and an invigorating magenta tone.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
3 June 2025
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Active travel company Butterfield & Robinson offers an invigorating way to explore the wider region.—
Helen Iatrou,
AFAR Media,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Every release has its own unique backstory, which infuses personality into the characters and helps collectors connect and engage with them on a deeper level.—
Chelsea Tobin,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Additionally, the draping throughout infuses a hit of modernism.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Abe was part of a conservative faction of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and known for his association with Nippon Kaigi, an influential conservative organization that among other goals advocated teaching Japanese history to inculcate national pride.—
Jennifer Lind,
Foreign Affairs,
12 July 2022
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Everyone should inculcate the ability to identify root causes and recognize patterns, feedback loops and relationships that influence outcomes rather than focusing on isolated components.—
Balmukund Shukla,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Verb
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The functional fragrance is meant to boost mood, bring inner balance and spark the senses, all while imbuing a sense of clarity and peace.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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These scenes ground Agathe, imbuing her with the headstrong determination of Jo March.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2025
Verb
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In a world of increasing unknowns, the inoculating effects of a college degree can be the difference between weathering a storm versus being swept away by it.—
Judy D. Olian,
TIME,
13 Mar. 2025
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But the long-acting version now entering testing shows promise of lasting about three months, which, if proved safe and effective in human trials, could provide a way to inoculate whole regions.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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His work is suffused with such affection for the edge places where Europe bleeds into its others—Venice, Trieste, Alexandria, Algiers—that the continent becomes all edge.—
Nicholas Dames,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
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Kaunas: Where the Grand Duchy Endures As the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania — one of Europe’s largest and most powerful nations during the Late Middle Ages and early Renaissance — Kaunas is suffused with history.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leaven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaven. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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