1
as in to freeze
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
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2
as in to strengthen
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
pioneer women who had been hardened by years of living on the plains
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3
as in to toughen
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force
arm muscles that were hardened by all the years of casting and hauling his fishing nets
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4
as in to stiffen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
the government hardened restrictions on travel to and from the war-torn nation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harden
Continue to water them until the first hard frost, reducing watering to help harden off the tree and prepare it for dormancy.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025
In the spring, harden off your plants over a 1 to 2 week period, and then move them back outside permanently when temperatures are consistently above 50°F.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025
This time, the cracks appear to be hardening.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2025
It had been hardened too much for an emotion so soft.
—Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025
In the spring, harden off your plants over a 1 to 2 week period, and then move them back outside permanently when temperatures are consistently above 50°F.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025
This time, the cracks appear to be hardening.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2025
It had been hardened too much for an emotion so soft.
—Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden
Verb
-
Applying too late leaves plants vulnerable to freezing temperatures.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
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These cuts mean reducing supply budgets in most departments, delaying the purchase of new math curriculum and Chromebooks, freezing hiring for nonclassroom positions and canceling contract agreements that will not disrupt operations.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Perhaps witnessing that transformation strengthens its usefulness to others.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Both coalitions align African foundations and businesses to coordinate investments, champion learning as an economic priority, and strengthen delivery through their influence and capabilities.—
Obiageli Ezekwesili,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The light stiffens and grabs hold of us.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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In real materials, large angles that could create bigger matrix weights also stiffen the input path, reducing motion at the output.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harden. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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