OpenSynonym

macerating

/ˈmæsəˌreɪtɪŋ/

VERB

1. To soften or break down by soaking in liquid

To soften, weaken, or separate something into smaller pieces by soaking it in a liquid, whether heated or unheated.

1.1. Food preparation and flavor extraction

Describes soaking fruits, vegetables, meat, or other food ingredients in a liquid to soften their texture, release juices, tenderize them, or extract flavors and colors.

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Examples

  • The chef left the fruit in a bowl, macerating in sugar and brandy for a decadent dessert topping.
  • The winemaker emphasized the importance of patiently macerating the grape skins to extract the desired color and tannins.
  • The herbalist recommended macerating the herbs in oil to create a potent infusion for therapeutic massage.

Related Words

  • tenderizing
  • softening
  • infusing
  • extracting
  • fermenting
  • flavoring

1.2. Laboratory and chemical processing

Refers to soaking biological materials, cells, or other substances in a controlled liquid solution to soften, break down, or separate their components for examination or extraction.

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Examples

  • In the laboratory, the scientist observed the cells macerating in a carefully controlled solution.
  • The technician is macerating the plant tissue in a solvent to prepare it for chemical analysis.

Related Words

  • dissolving
  • decomposing
  • extracting
  • disintegrating
  • solvent
  • solution

VERB

2. To make someone lean or waste away

To cause a person or living being to become thin, weak, or emaciated, typically through deprivation or prolonged hardship.

2.1. Physical wasting and emaciation

Describes causing someone to lose weight or physical strength until they become noticeably thin or weakened.

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Examples

  • The prolonged illness was macerating his body, leaving him increasingly frail and exhausted.
  • Severe deprivation had been macerating the prisoners for months.

Related Words

VERB

3. To subdue appetite or mortify the flesh

To suppress physical desires or discipline the body through fasting, a restricted diet, or other forms of self-denial.

3.1. Religious discipline and self-denial

Describes deliberately restraining bodily appetites or desires through fasting, sparse eating, or ascetic practices as a form of spiritual discipline.

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Examples

  • The monk spent several days macerating his appetite through fasting and prayer.
  • Some ascetic traditions practiced macerating the flesh as a form of spiritual discipline.

Related Words