1. to moderate or regulate; to adjust to a desired state or condition
Usage: formal or literary; often used with 'with' or 'to'
2. to bring into harmony or accord; to adapt
Usage: archaic or rare

Examples

• The judge attempted to attemper justice with mercy in her ruling.
• He attempered his criticism with words of encouragement.
• The musician attempered the volume to suit the intimate venue.
• She attempered her ambitions to match her available resources.
• The architect attempered the modern design with classical elements.
• They attempered their expectations to reality.