1
as in to freeze
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
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2
as in to strengthen
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
pioneer women who had been hardened by years of living on the plains
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3
as in to toughen
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force
arm muscles that were hardened by all the years of casting and hauling his fishing nets
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4
as in to stiffen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
the government hardened restrictions on travel to and from the war-torn nation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harden
The Secret Service told senators last month that $220 million of the White House’s $1-billion request would go to harden the ballroom addition, with bulletproof glass, drone detection technologies, chemical and other systems.
—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
The left’s internationalism—once the calling card of progress—has hardened into hostility to Israel, across academia, NGOs, mainstream-media outlets, and the United Nations.
—
Adam Louis-Klein,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
Practically overnight, Sylvia’s cozy attitude toward the girl hardens into coolness, impatience and neglect.
—
Natalia Winkelman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Over the previous three postseasons, heartbreak hardened this core.
—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for harden
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
The left’s internationalism—once the calling card of progress—has hardened into hostility to Israel, across academia, NGOs, mainstream-media outlets, and the United Nations.
—
Adam Louis-Klein,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
Practically overnight, Sylvia’s cozy attitude toward the girl hardens into coolness, impatience and neglect.
—
Natalia Winkelman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Over the previous three postseasons, heartbreak hardened this core.
—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for harden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden
Verb
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When asked for comment about what the president said, a spokesman for Mamdani referred CBS News New York to the mayor's statement from Thursday night after the Rent Guidelines Board voted to freeze rents for two years.
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There is no shortage of policy proposals for reducing college costs, ranging from freezing tuition to canceling student debt.
Verb
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Communicate early, and friendships strengthen naturally.
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Practical choices now strengthen long-term confidence.
Verb
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Major media companies operating traditional linear networks have been under pressure in recent years amid stiffening competition from large tech rivals as programming migrates to streaming.
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To execute its ruthless 66-pound weight loss program, the rear seats have been completely deleted, replaced by a massive structural strut brace that significantly stiffens the chassis.
Cite this Entry
“Harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harden. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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