toughness

noun

tough·​ness ˈtəf-nəs How to pronounce toughness (audio)
: the quality or state of being tough: such as
a
: the quality of being strong and not easily broken, torn, etc.
This combination of strength and ductility makes spider silk extremely tough, matching the toughness of state-of-the-art carbon fibers such as Kevlar.MIT Technology Review
also : the quality of being difficult to cut or chew
… the extreme toughness of the beef … , which rendered it quite unfit … for any human consumption. Charles Dickens
b
: physical or emotional strength that allows someone to endure strain or hardship
Henin-Hardenne's unshakable mental toughness—she says one of her great joys in life is staving off a break point in a tight match—makes her all the more formidable.L. Jon Wertheim
c
: the quality of being severe or uncompromising
the toughness of the new sentencing guidelines
his toughness as a negotiator
The Minnesota senator referenced the story during her campaign to showcase her toughness on crime.Summer Concepcion and Matt Shuham
Besides teaching us how to hit with pads [in football], [Sister] Paulinus instructed us in English, history, and the love of God, with a distinctive combination of toughness and good humor.Luke Timothy Johnson
d
: the quality of being difficult to accomplish, resolve, endure, or deal with
the toughness of life in prison
the toughness of these decisions
After an appearance on British television, he is almost giddy at the toughness of the questions he faced.A. O. Scott
Just spritz on some Dawn Power Dissolver, wait 15 to 30 minutes depending on the toughness of the job, wipe with a sponge, and rinse.Cook's Illustrated

Examples of toughness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Three weeks later, when asked where his players stood in terms of toughness required to battle on the boards, Enfield paused in a mostly empty practice gym. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 Louisville basketball's porous defense has Cards wasting best shooting streak in 5 years Louisville women's basketball rebounds from first ACC loss, shows toughness on boards Louisville football's Ashton Gillotte, Quincy Riley could be pros. Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 26 Jan. 2024 Streamer Adin Ross, for example, wasted no time getting his buddies together to take turns shooting his Cybertruck to demonstrate its tank-like toughness. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 The State Department has already signalled a new toughness, putting four violent West Bank settlers under a sanctions regime. Bernard Avishai, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2024 Cincinnati: The Bearcats have shown a great deal of toughness in their first season in the Big 12, losing six conference games by single digits. Keith Jenkins, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2024 Two days ago after giving up 17 offensive rebounds to Oregon, Enfield questioned USC’s toughness on the boards. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2024 Here are 5 key games for Jeff Brohm's team Louisville women's basketball rebounds from first ACC loss, shows toughness on boards Louisville (6-14, 1-8 ACC) dug itself into an 11-0 hole less than five minutes into the game. The Courier-Journal, 27 Jan. 2024 Sarah’s toughness, her rage, won Foster an Academy Award. Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toughness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

tough entry 1 + -ness

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toughness was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near toughness

Cite this Entry

“Toughness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toughness. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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