1. present participle of attemper; to moderate, soften, or reduce the intensity of something
Usage: formal or literary; often used with abstract nouns like anger, harshness, or demands
2. in metallurgy, the process of heating and cooling metal to achieve desired hardness and flexibility
Usage: technical; metallurgical term

Examples

• The judge was attempering her harsh judgment with compassion for the defendant's circumstances.
• His criticism, while honest, was attempering the team's enthusiasm for the project.
• The craftsman spent hours attempering the steel to achieve the perfect balance of strength and flexibility.
• She found that attempering her expectations made the outcome less disappointing.
• The diplomat was skilled at attempering tensions between the two nations.
• Attempering the sauce with cream created a smoother, more balanced flavor.