When cooking, the word macerated often comes up when referring to fruits or vegetables that have been soaked in liquid to soften or extract their juices. However, there are several synonyms for macerated that can also be used such as steeped, marinated, infused, soaked, and pickled. Steeping is commonly used when referring to tea or herbs being steeped in hot water. Marinating is when meat is soaked in a mixture of vinegar, oil, and spices to tenderize and flavor it. Infusing is when herbs, fruits, or spices are added to a liquid to flavor it. Soaking refers to leaving something in water for a period of time or applying a liquid directly to a dry substance. Pickling is the process of preserving vegetables in vinegar or brine.