congealed
adjective C2
Plain meaning
thickened or solidified in an unpleasant way
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe thickened or solidified in an unpleasant way, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalHis response sounded congealed, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a congealed assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a congealed responsecongealed behavioura congealed situation
Watch out
Do not use “very congealed” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
congealedness (noun, where natural)congealedly (adverb, where natural)