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
Grossi, of the IAEA, warned earlier this week that Israeli strikes were unlikely to destroy Iran’s underground nuclear facilities — and risked hardening Iran’s determination to build a nuclear bomb.
—
Colin Meyn, The Hill, 13 June 2025
Democratic policies regarding immigration have evolved as attitudes, even among Latinos, have hardened after record border crossings during former President Joe Biden‘s administration.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
Now, your union advised agricultural employers to harden work sites.
—A Martínez, NPR, 13 June 2025
Without complementary requirements for hardening the homes themselves, widespread clearing of landscaping immediately around homes could do little to reduce risk and could even aggravate the danger.
—Max Moritz, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Colin Meyn, The Hill, 13 June 2025
Democratic policies regarding immigration have evolved as attitudes, even among Latinos, have hardened after record border crossings during former President Joe Biden‘s administration.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
Now, your union advised agricultural employers to harden work sites.
—A Martínez, NPR, 13 June 2025
Without complementary requirements for hardening the homes themselves, widespread clearing of landscaping immediately around homes could do little to reduce risk and could even aggravate the danger.
—Max Moritz, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden
Verb
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Transporter 14's upper stage proceeded to deploy its payloads and release a plume of rocket propellant prior to re-entering Earth's atmosphere, which quickly froze and reflected sunlight, becoming visible to eagle-eyed stargazers in Europe.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
25 June 2025
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Treasury holdings and access to SWIFT can be frozen at any time.—
Frank Holmes,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Verb
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According to the 2024 People’s Climate Vote, 80% of people globally want their countries to strengthen climate commitments, and over two-thirds support a fast transition from fossil fuels.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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At Go Behavioral, a team strengthened by BCBA, clinical psychologists, and RBT professionals helps children work on developing skills by breaking them down into small, manageable steps, which are then reinforced consistently.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
21 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 4 Jul. 2025.
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