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
Flashes of orange lava leaked through the seafloor before hardening in the freezing water, indicating an eruption was taking place.
—
Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 8 May 2025
After two years of war, fault lines have hardened, and divides have become more emotional.
—Mai Hassan, Foreign Affairs, 30 Apr. 2025
Given the hardening politics in both countries around the trade war, even this modest set of outcomes might seem out of reach.
—Ryan Hass, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
This will keep gloves from hardening and extend their life.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 8 May 2025
After two years of war, fault lines have hardened, and divides have become more emotional.
—Mai Hassan, Foreign Affairs, 30 Apr. 2025
Given the hardening politics in both countries around the trade war, even this modest set of outcomes might seem out of reach.
—Ryan Hass, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
This will keep gloves from hardening and extend their life.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden
Verb
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The gargantuan geoengineering project would require half a million underwater drones to pull water from below the melting ice cap and spray it onto the surface to freeze.—
Jeanna Bryner,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
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Or nix a plan to freeze state worker salary increases next year?—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2025
Verb
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By updating recruiting tactics and working with local communities, Florida has an opportunity to strengthen the fire service and help every Floridian.—
Jason Cerrano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
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This program is funded by the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation, which supports journalism, film and arts organizations whose work is dedicated to social justice and strengthening democracy.—
Talia Buford,
ProPublica,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Lucy’s Law, among other things, stiffens the penalties for seriously injuring someone in a boat crash.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2025
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Posture And Mobility: Undoing The Sedentary Spiral Extended sitting does more than stiffen your spine.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harden. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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