toughen

verb

tough·​en ˈtə-fən 

toughened; toughening ˈtə-fə-niŋ 

ˈtəf-niŋ

transitive verb

: to make tough

intransitive verb

: to become tough

Synonyms of toughen

• strengthen
• harden

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

His campaign puts security front and center, with promises to lower the age of criminal responsibility and toughen the response to violent crime. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

The military service Cyrus pushes Adam into is meant to toughen him up. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

The findings come as state officials are proposing to overhaul decades-old pesticide regulations to toughen enforcement and standardize penalties. — Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

The remaining states — including the swing states of Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina — have measures for this fall's general election that would toughen ID requirements for voters. — Benjamin Swasey, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for toughen

• muffin

Kids Definition

toughen

verb

tough·​en ˈtəf-ən 

toughened; toughening ˈtəf-(ə-)niŋ 

: to make or become tough