Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb saponify

2 senses of saponify

Sense 1
saponify -- (become converted into soap by being hydrolized into an acid and alcohol as a result of being treated with an alkali; "the oil saponified")
       => change -- (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night")

Sense 2
saponify -- (convert into soap by hydrolizing an ester into an acid and alcohol as a result of treating it with an alkali; "saponify oils and fats")
       => change, alter, modify -- (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue")