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
Chill the Cake Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight to harden the icing.
—
Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
The same team and the same coach, but hardened by having to walk through the rain.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 22 May 2025
California’s excessive Medi-Cal spending has offered a juicy target for House Republicans, and given hardening attitudes on immigration across the country, California is unlikely to benefit from the public hostility focused on other types of potential Medicaid cuts.
—Marc Joffe, Oc Register, 14 May 2025
Related article Ships, sea drones and AI: How NATO is hardening its defense of critical Baltic undersea cables
CNN was not able to locate the registered owner of the Jaguar for comment.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
The same team and the same coach, but hardened by having to walk through the rain.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 22 May 2025
California’s excessive Medi-Cal spending has offered a juicy target for House Republicans, and given hardening attitudes on immigration across the country, California is unlikely to benefit from the public hostility focused on other types of potential Medicaid cuts.
—Marc Joffe, Oc Register, 14 May 2025
Related article Ships, sea drones and AI: How NATO is hardening its defense of critical Baltic undersea cables
CNN was not able to locate the registered owner of the Jaguar for comment.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden
Verb
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The raises are cost-of-living adjustments included in state law, though past legislatures have voted to freeze their own pay — a move that has drawn legal challenges.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
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In parallel, the Trump administration has reportedly frozen more than $2 billion in research grants to elite universities, including Harvard, citing alleged violations of federal directives related to antisemitism and national security, NPR reported.—
Michelle Mbekeani,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Verb
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The first print edition of Robb Report en Español will debut in Spain later this year, further strengthening the brand’s presence in Europe.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
9 June 2025
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Below, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share the best ways brands can rebuild credibility and strengthen their image after public criticism.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2025
Verb
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The competition has definitely stiffened, after all.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 June 2025
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The defense stiffened, forcing two punts and a turnover on downs to set up Chris Callahan’s game-winning 28-yard kick.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harden. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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