curdle

verb

cur·​dle ˈkər-dᵊl How to pronounce curdle (audio)
curdled; curdling
ˈkərd-liŋ, 
ˈkər-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce curdle (audio)
Synonyms of curdlenext

intransitive verb

1
: to form curds
also : to congeal as if by forming curds
a scream curdled in her throat
2
: to go bad or wrong : spoil

transitive verb

1
: to cause curds to form in
curdled milk
2
: spoil, sour

Examples of curdle in a Sentence

Too much heat will make the custard curdle. Too much heat will curdle the custard.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If the temperature is too hot, the crème fraîche could curdle, and nobody has time for that. — Josh Miller, Southern Living, 19 June 2026 But if and when that dress turns out to be just one of the outfits for a documentary that goes to the highest bidder, the wedding good vibes will curdle just a little. — Choire Sicha, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 But our catholic mix also results in contradictions that can curdle into hypocrisy, in ways that feel familiarly Catholic. — Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 18 June 2026 For many, this was one more example of the Knights behaving like the rules don’t apply to them, a reputation that seems to have curdled how they’re viewed by many fans. — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for curdle

Word History

Etymology

metathetic variant of cruddle, crudle, frequentative of crud entry 2

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curdle was in 1585

Phrases Containing curdle

Rhymes for curdle

See All Rhymes for curdle

Browse Nearby Words

curd knife
curdle
curdly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curdle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curdle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

curdle

verb
cur·​dle ˈkərd-ᵊl How to pronounce curdle (audio)
curdled; curdling ˈkərd-liŋ How to pronounce curdle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to form curds
2
: to cause curds to form in
high heat curdled the custard
3
—used in expressions such as make one's blood curdle to indicate a feeling of terror
a ghost story that will make your blood curdle

More from Merriam-Webster on curdle

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for curdle

Nglish: Translation of curdle for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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