Spongify

To make something porous and absorbent like a sponge; to transform a solid or dense material into a spongy, less compact form, often through a process of expansion, aeration, or the creation of internal cavities. This can occur in a literal sense, referring to the physical alteration of a substance, or metaphorically, describing the softening, weakening, or diluting of something that was once firm or concentrated. The term emphasizes the change in texture and the resultant capacity to absorb or contain something else, be it liquid, information, or influence. The process may be natural, like the decomposition of organic matter, or artificial, as in the production of foam or certain types of food.

Spongify meaning with examples

• The baker, experimenting with a new recipe, inadvertently allowed the dough to over-ferment, causing it to completely spongify. The once firm loaf became a soft, almost formless mass, perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauces of the stew. This was a mishap in the kitchen, but it gave the baker insight and a better understanding of leavening agents.
• Decades of exposure to the elements had begun to spongify the sandstone facade of the old castle. Rain and wind slowly eroded the rock, creating tiny holes and fissures, leaving the structure more vulnerable to further decay, threatening its existence, as the once strong edifice becomes frail with time.
• The scientist, studying the effects of a novel enzyme, watched as the dense polymer sample began to spongify. The initially solid material gradually expanded, becoming riddled with air pockets, transforming its density, revealing the enzyme's power to degrade the matter on a micro level.
• Over time, the constant exposure to pressure and the elements will spongify any soft parts. This means that if something can sponge up water then it probably is not doing a good job protecting the item.
• The intense heat would often spongify and soften the clay as the pottery neared the end of its creation, becoming perfect for crafting.