toughen

verb tough·en \ ˈtə-fən \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: toughen in a Sentence

Definition of toughen

toughened; toughening play \ˈtə-fə-niŋ, ˈtəf-niŋ\

transitive verb

: to make tough

intransitive verb

: to become tough

See toughen defined for English-language learners

See toughen defined for kids

Examples of toughen in a Sentence

The government is toughening antidrug laws.
weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours

Recent Examples of toughen from the Web

Valentine insisted that wild animals toughened up the young Presas.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Algren Award runner-up: "Am I Not Your Animal" by Matt Jones," 2 June 2018
This draft has the Pelicans going with Edwards again, and his 6-foot-8, 225-pound frame would be just what New Orleans needs to toughen up its perimeter defense.

— william guillory, NOLA.com, "NBA mock draft roundup: Who are the Pelicans projected to pick at No. 51?," 31 May 2018
Many of us — yes, women, but humans in general — prepare for conflict by trying to toughen up.

— michelle weber, Longreads, "Why Were We All So Upset About Jason Bateman?," 30 May 2018
Bauer said that growing up in Brooklyn, New York, also toughened her, and made life in Glastonbury seem much easier.

— steve smith, Courant Community, "Nonagenarians Celebrated At Senior Center," 29 May 2018
The rise of the #MeToo campaign has seen calls globally to toughen up existing rape legislation and to reexamine popular views on the concept of consent.

— deutsche welle, USA TODAY, "Sweden scraps outdated rape law that said threats or force must be used," 25 May 2018
Mr Sánchez has supported direct rule and has recently talked about toughening it if Catalonia’s new secessionist president takes any unconstitutional step.

— The Economist, "Might Spain be headed for a snap election?," 25 May 2018
Be sure to leave your modesty at home and toughen up your skin.

— madeleine marr, miamiherald, "Kathy Griffin promises to joke about infamous Trump severed head photo on her new tour | Miami Herald," 30 Apr. 2018
Some of the of students who walked out of school Wednesday faced unexcused absences or more serious penalties, as school districts in a number of states cracked down on demonstrations aimed at pressuring politicians to toughen gun laws.

— leslie brody, WSJ, "Some Students Face Consequences to Walk Out," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'toughen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of toughen

1582

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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toughen Synonyms

TOUGHEN Defined for English Language Learners

toughen

verb

Definition of toughen for English Language Learners

: to make (something) stricter or to become stricter
: to make (someone) physically or emotionally stronger or to become physically or emotionally stronger