harden

hard·en

verb \ˈhär-d^ən\

hard·enedhard·en·ing\ˈhärd-niŋ, ˈhär-d^ən-iŋ\

Definition of HARDEN

transitive verb

1

: to make hard or harder

2

: to confirm in disposition, feelings, or action; especially : to make callous <hardened his heart>

3

a : inure, toughen <harden troops> b : to inure to unfavorable environmental conditions (as cold) —often used with off <harden off seedlings before transplanting>

4

: to protect from blast, heat, or radiation (as by a thick barrier or placement underground)

intransitive verb

1

: to become hard or harder

2

a : to become firm, stable, or settled b : to assume an appearance of harshness or severity <her face hardened at the thought>

3

: to become gradually acclimatized to unfavorable conditions —often used with off <plants hardened off before the first frost>

Examples of HARDEN

1. The presence of certain substances in the blood can cause the arteries to harden.
2. These additives are designed to harden the steel.
3. substances that can harden the arteries
4. Opposition to the goverment has hardened as news of further scandals has leaked out.
5. The news has hardened opposition to the government.
6. He had been hardened by his years of military service.

First Known Use of HARDEN

13th century

Related to HARDEN

Synonyms: concrete, congeal, firm (up), freeze, indurate, set, solidify

Antonyms: liquefy (also liquify), soften

Related Words: cake, callus, encrust (also incrust); clot, coagulate, gel, gelate, gelatinize, jell, jelly, stiffen, thicken; calcify, crystallize (also crystalize), ossify, petrify, rigidify; anneal, case-harden, temper

Near Antonyms: deliquesce, dissolve, flux, fuse, melt, smelt, thaw, unfreeze

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with HARDEN

Arden, Dardan, garden, pardon