macerates
Steeps until tender
Macerates means softens or breaks down by soaking in liquid.
Fruit macerates in sugar or alcohol, releasing juices: strawberries macerated in balsamic vinegar.
In digestion, the stomach macerates food.
The word sometimes describes skin softened by prolonged moisture.
Figuratively, to macerate can mean to waste away or cause to waste away through fasting or suffering.
Wets through completely
- steepsSoaks to extract flavor
- softensReduces intensity or hardness
- marinatesSteeps in seasoned liquid
- tenderizesMakes meat less tough
infuses · wine · vinegar · liqueur · berries · fruit · sugar · syrup
Deteriorates over time
- rotsUndergoes organic breakdown
- decomposesBreaks into simpler components
- weakensReduces strength or power
- erodesWears away gradually
crumbles · disintegrates · withers · degrades · spoils · ferments · putrefies · softens
Disperses into solution
- breaks downStops functioning properly
- digestsProcesses food chemically
- decomposesBreaks into simpler components
- softensReduces intensity or hardness
tissue · specimen · laboratory · solution · solvent · enzyme · chemical · histology
soaks
Wets through completely
tenderizes · infuses · wine · vinegar · liqueur · berries · fruit · sugar · syrup · dessert
decays
Deteriorates over time
- rotsUndergoes organic breakdown
- decomposesBreaks into simpler components
- weakensReduces strength or power
erodes · crumbles · disintegrates · withers · degrades · spoils · ferments · putrefies · softens · moisture
dissolves
Disperses into solution
- breaks downStops functioning properly
- digestsProcesses food chemically
- decomposesBreaks into simpler components
softens · tissue · specimen · laboratory · solution · solvent · enzyme · chemical · histology · preparation
maceratesdesiccates
Removes moisture completely
dehydrates · dries · dries out · parches · withers