leaven Synonyms
Another word for leaven
• verb (Context 1)
To permeate and modify, temper, or enliven something with a lightening or moderating quality.
"The professor always leavened his dense historical lectures with amusing anecdotes."
• noun (Context 2)
A substance, typically yeast, sourdough starter, or baking powder, added to dough or batter to cause fermentation and make it rise and lighten during baking.
"The baker reserved a small piece of fermented dough to serve as the leavening for tomorrow's loaves."
• verb (Context 3)
To cause dough or batter to ferment and rise by adding yeast or another leavening agent.
"Traditional sourdough bread is leavened using naturally occurring wild yeasts and bacteria."
• noun (Context 4)
A pervasive quality or influence that modifies, enlivens, or transforms something for the better.
"Her dry wit acted as a welcome catalyst during the otherwise tedious committee meetings."
Opposites of leaven
The opposite of leaven shifts depending on context. Common opposites include: