Synonyms of harden

harden

verb

ˈhär-dᵊn 

1

as in to freeze

to become physically firm or solid

the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air

Synonyms & Similar Words

• freeze
• stiffen
• solidify
• congeal
• concrete
• indurate
• firm (up)
• set
• thicken
• gel
• crystallize
• encrust
• coagulate
• cake
• gelatinize
• jell
• calcify
• ossify
• petrify
• rigidify
• callus
• anneal
• temper
• clot
• jelly
• gelate
• case-harden

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• soften
• liquefy
• melt
• dissolve
• thaw
• smelt
• fuse
• flux
• unfreeze
• deliquesce

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strengthen
• fortify
• toughen
• steel
• inure
• adjust
• season
• indurate
• adapt
• bolster
• reinforce
• acclimate
• temper
• anneal
• invigorate
• enforce
• brace
• vitalize
• acclimatize
• immunize
• accustom
• buttress
• habituate
• condition
• boost
• break in
• prop (up)
• support
• naturalize
• train
• forearm
• limber (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• soften
• weaken
• exhaust
• sap
• emasculate
• cripple
• incapacitate
• hamstring
• sensitize
• enfeeble
• enervate
• debilitate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strengthen
• toughen
• fortify
• beef (up)
• temper
• anneal
• energize
• invigorate
• tone (up)
• vitalize
• firm (up)
• restrengthen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaken
• hurt
• impair
• paralyze
• cripple
• injure
• harm
• damage
• debilitate
• enervate
• enfeeble
• undermine
• incapacitate
• break down
• wear out
• undercut
• sap

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stiffen
• strengthen
• toughen
• harshen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ease
• lessen
• soften
• ameliorate
• moderate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of harden

The first ingredient of note is hexanal, which strengthens and hardens nails. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026

There’s not a whole lot that can be done to harden them against bombs and drones. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Yet the hatred of Dulles—so absolute in its consensus—reminds me of other ways in which our culture has hardened. — Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026

The thermometer scenario is about whether harvest volatility quietly hardens into harvest decline. — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026