leaven

“Weapons” has something for everyone: jump scares for horrorphiles, nods to classics like “Rashomon” and “Magnolia” for film buffs, and more than a few laughs to leaven the tension.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 26, 2025

There was gloss and sass to leaven the tough stuff.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2024

Port cities teem with elegant sailing ships, costumes are colorful and pockets of humor and romance leaven the action sequences.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 21, 2024

In the evening we will start with the first dough and when it's complete we let it leaven and rise overnight.

From Salon ● Apr. 8, 2023

A leaven of love was left, it is true— Lancelot, Gareth, Aglovale and a few old dodderers like Sir Grummore and Sir Palomides: but the tone was set elsewhere.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

It combines sharp-eyed intelligence with genuine modesty and leavens clever opportunism with the recognition that all men are created equal, even if some are less equal in their instincts for getting paid.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

As Vince, Bateman — who also directed the first two episodes, efficiently, with “Ozark” co-star Laura Linney helming the second two — leavens an exasperating character with his innate likability.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2025

Whether the songs are presented in their orchestral splendor or as frenetic electronica, each needle drop leavens the natural comedy of John’s frantic awkwardness or captures his chronic sorrow.

From Salon ● Mar. 26, 2025

The yeast is tolerant of this acidic environment, and it ferments carbohydrates other than maltose to produce the carbon dioxide that leavens the bread.

From Scientific American ● Nov. 1, 2023

The republic of France; may her example in the abolition of titles and splendour be a lesson to all republics to destroy those leavens of corruption. 6th.

From The Life of George Washington, Vol. 5 Commander in Chief of the American Forces During the War which Established the Independence of his Country and First President of the United States by John Marshall

My favorite was her naturally leavened pizza dough, which requires a sourdough starter and a bit of scheduling.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

The 65-year-old came to court in downtown Los Angeles for closing arguments this month in one of the biggest trials of his career, armed with a parable of leavened bread.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 28, 2026

What you might recognize as a modern-style fruitcake – a moist, leavened dessert studded with fruits and nuts – was probably first baked in the early Middle Ages in Europe.

From Salon ● Dec. 17, 2024

Arturo Enciso is known for the naturally leavened sourdough breads and pastries at his Long Beach bakery Gusto, including his hueso baguettes and conchas de cacao.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2024

Most of them were smallfolk: crofters, fieldhands, fishermen, sheepherders, the sons of innkeeps and traders and tanners, leavened with a smattering of sellswords and freeriders hungry for plunder.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

The film’s comedy won’t appeal to all tastes, but some will welcome the leavening effect it has on the movie’s more frightening aspects.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2025

Seven years after her father’s disappearance, Diamond Newberry and her mother are struggling, but Diamond’s observations provide comic leavening.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2024

They are also what make it rise in the absence of other leavening agents.

From Salon ● Apr. 30, 2024

But I do depart from my standard in one major way: Swirled brownies need leavening.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 7, 2022

Made without salt, spices, leavening, or preservatives, masa must be cooked within a few hours of being ground, and the tortilla should be eaten soon after it is cooked.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann