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 act, named in honor of a slain parole agent, aims to toughen enforcement of safety rules for state and local government workers. — William J. Ford, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

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

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