toughen

verb

tough·​en ˈtə-fən How to pronounce toughen (audio)
toughened; toughening ˈtə-fə-niŋ How to pronounce toughen (audio)
ˈtəf-niŋ

intransitive verb

: to become tough

Examples of toughen in a Sentence

The government is toughening antidrug laws. weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours
Recent Examples on the Web Harris, like her boss, has recently toughened her position on border security. Charlotte Alter / Pittsburgh, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024 Matt Mahan San Jose mayor, who broke with fellow Democrat Gavin Newsom to support Prop 36, a ballot measure to toughen retail theft and fentanyl penalties, is vindicated as a new poll shows 71% of voters support it. Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2024 Quick Read Deep Read ( 3 Min. ) Country by country, Europe is toughening its treatment of foreign migrants. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2024 The country’s approach to migration has toughened in recent years, in light of a surge in arrivals – particularly from the Middle East and Ukraine – as well as terror attacks motivated by Islamic terror. Sophie Tanno, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for toughen 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toughen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of toughen was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near toughen

Cite this Entry

“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toughen. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

toughen

verb
tough·​en ˈtəf-ən How to pronounce toughen (audio)
toughened; toughening ˈtəf-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce toughen (audio)
: to make or become tough

More from Merriam-Webster on toughen

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