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

The polo top denotes a sense of put-togetherness, with any sense of stuffiness softened when styled with feminine skirts or toughened up with denim and leather. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 July 2026

Redesigning workflows, confronting misaligned incentives, or undoing bureaucratic creep is far harder than telling people to toughen up. — Frantz M. Berthaud, STAT, 7 July 2026

Pan, a pediatrician, made national headlines during his time in Legislature for leading the state’s efforts to toughen school vaccine requirements. — Mathew Miranda june 23, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026

Through the efforts of the foundation, the Florida Legislature passed a law in 2025 that toughens penalties for boating crashes that end in serious injury, for providing misleading statements to law enforcement during a boat-crash investigation, and boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 June 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