1
as in to strengthen
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force
weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to harden
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
hiking every morning through snow and ice toughened him considerably
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3
as in to stiffen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
attempts to toughen conditions under which waivers from military service would be permitted
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of toughen
The Cook County chief judge’s office has toughened protocols around its electronic monitoring program, making changes in the wake of high-profile incidents and as the office’s monitored population swells.
—
Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
Unnerved by his son’s reverence, Big Ant keeps his distance from the boy and subtly pressures him to toughen up and abandon his artistic pursuits.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
It was originally envisioned as something that could help collegiate men (aka eggheads) toughen up and prepare for fighting the wars of empire.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
The fatal flaw couldn’t be sufficiently mitigated, though, once the schedule toughened.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
Unnerved by his son’s reverence, Big Ant keeps his distance from the boy and subtly pressures him to toughen up and abandon his artistic pursuits.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
It was originally envisioned as something that could help collegiate men (aka eggheads) toughen up and prepare for fighting the wars of empire.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
The fatal flaw couldn’t be sufficiently mitigated, though, once the schedule toughened.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughen
Verb
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PSyn supports that work by helping health plans and employer groups strengthen benefit strategy through education, practical analysis, and operational guidance grounded in real-world pharmacy experience.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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Every morning, seahorses greet their other half by performing a rhythmic dance that can last minutes or even hours to strengthen their bond.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For years, this unspoken truth has hardened her, shaping her into a woman of precision and emotional distance — a mother who learned survival through silence.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
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Water your plants regularly during the hardening off process, but slowly decrease how much water your plants receive.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The luxury retailer, weighed down by debt, is under pressure as consumers shift their shopping habits and competition stiffens.—
Brian Womack,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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The Czech Republic’s new government will seek to transform the defense industry into an engine of the nation’s export economy as the flagship auto sector faces stiffening competition, a senior cabinet member said.—
Michal Kubala,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughen. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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