French word

tempérer

Pronunciation

IPA/tɑ̃peʁe/

Meaning

  • verbtemper

Example

J'essaie de tempérer ma colère.

I'm trying to temper my anger.

Illustration for tempérer (temper)

More examples

Pour éviter un conflit, elle a choisi de tempérer le ton.

To avoid a conflict, she chose to moderate the tone.

Core concept

A hand turns down the intensity of anger, words, or an opinion without removing it.

Common phrases

  • tempérer le ton

    moderate the tone

  • tempérer l'ardeur

    temper enthusiasm

Similar words

calmer: To settle strong emotions or anger.
apaiser: To soothe anxiety or anger and restore a sense of calm.
adoucir: To make a harsh quality or expression gentler.
modérer: To reduce intensity or force and keep things measured.

Definition in French

Atténuer l'expression ou la force d'une opinion, d'une colère ou d'une réaction pour la rendre plus mesurée.

Word origin

Tempérer comes from Latin temperare, meaning to regulate or moderate, through Old French.

Usage tips

  • Tempérer is commonly transitive, as in tempérer sa colère or tempérer ses propos, so the affected feeling or words are often stated.

Other meanings

  • restrainverb
  • calmverb

Opposites

  • aggraveraggravateverb
  • exacerberexacerbateverb

Related words

  • tempérérestrainedadjective
  • tempérancerestraintnoun

Word lists with this word