toughen

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verb

Definition of TOUGHEN

1

to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force <weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours>

Synonyms beef (up), fortify, harden, toughen

Related Words anneal, temper; firm (up), tone (up); energize, invigorate, vitalize; restrengthen

Near Antonyms cripple, incapacitate, paralyze; damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure; break down, wear out; sap, undercut, undermine

Antonyms debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, weaken

2

to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure <hiking every morning through snow and ice toughened him considerably>

Synonyms fortify, indurate, inure, season, steel, strengthen, toughen

Related Words acclimate, acclimatize, adapt, adjust; anneal, temper; invigorate, vitalize; immunize; bolster, boost, brace, buttress, enforce, forearm, prop (up), reinforce (also reenforce), support; break in, limber (up), train; accustom, condition, habituate, naturalize

Near Antonyms emasculate, enervate, enfeeble, exhaust, sap, weaken; cripple, debilitate, hamstring, incapacitate; sensitize

Antonyms soften

3

to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe <attempts to toughen conditions under which waivers from military service would be permitted>

Synonyms harden, stiffen, strengthen, toughen

Near Antonyms lessen, moderate, soften

Antonyms ameliorate, ease