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
That marked a sharp break from the previous administration, when the Department of Defense sought $5 billion for climate initiatives in its fiscal 2024 budget — including efforts to harden bases against extreme weather and reduce battlefield fuel dependence.
—
Ames Alexander, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Some people are emotionally exhausted; others appear to have hardened their hearts.
—Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
These are produced by precisely laying fiber strips in a mold, which is hardened using resins or other plastics to form a component.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
For Palestinians, refugee camps have hardened into towns, and checkpoints into landmarks.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Ames Alexander, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Some people are emotionally exhausted; others appear to have hardened their hearts.
—Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
These are produced by precisely laying fiber strips in a mold, which is hardened using resins or other plastics to form a component.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
For Palestinians, refugee camps have hardened into towns, and checkpoints into landmarks.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden
Verb
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Numerous gunshots can be heard as the officers fire their weapons, but the video freezes just before Green is shot, which Hoskin said was due to the graphic content.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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Modern techniques like freezing herbs in oil or quick-pickling veggies keeps that spirit alive.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Perhaps witnessing that transformation strengthens its usefulness to others.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Both coalitions align African foundations and businesses to coordinate investments, champion learning as an economic priority, and strengthen delivery through their influence and capabilities.—
Obiageli Ezekwesili,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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High-Cholesterol Foods Foods high in cholesterol can negatively affect blood pressure, contributing to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup that narrows and stiffens the arteries).—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
28 Oct. 2025
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But the enormous turnout for the largely peaceful demonstrations appeared to stiffen their resolve.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harden. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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