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

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday signed an executive order to toughen standards for where city departments and sister agencies buy guns, firearm accessories, and ammunition. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 July 2026

Public opposition to old-growth logging also played a role, causing California lawmakers to toughen rules on clearcuts and logging on steep hillsides and stream banks. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

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

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