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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Recent Examples of harden
Within the country there was also quite a bit of criticism that the Israel Defense Forces were physically out of shape and the commanders were not up to the task of facing a battle hardened Hezbollah.
—
Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 3 Mar. 2026
Splashes of port on the ivory linen runner next to a hardening baguette heel.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
The metal shutters and advanced outdoor sprinkler system are the flashiest parts of Tavangarian’s home hardening project, and the efficacy of these adaptations is still up for debate.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
The surge in Crete last year hardened political positions in Athens.
—Lefteris Pitarakis, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for harden
Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 3 Mar. 2026
Splashes of port on the ivory linen runner next to a hardening baguette heel.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
The metal shutters and advanced outdoor sprinkler system are the flashiest parts of Tavangarian’s home hardening project, and the efficacy of these adaptations is still up for debate.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
The surge in Crete last year hardened political positions in Athens.
—Lefteris Pitarakis, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for harden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden
Verb
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Pirovano was among the few racers to top 130 kph (81 mph) on a sunny, still and freezing day that was ideal for the marquee speed discipline.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
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If anything, the multi-front conflict looked set to intensify, with Emirati officials reportedly mulling freezing billions of dollars worth of Iranian assets.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This serum purportedly counteracts that, working to de-age the scalp, thus thickening and strengthening strands.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
6 Mar. 2026
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The first step replenishes skin’s water levels, and the second protects it—a combination that improves elasticity, calms inflammation, and strengthens barrier integrity.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The materials can bend, buckle, or stiffen without electronics, sensors, or active control.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
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The machine dryer agitates the clothing and prevents fibers from stiffening during drying, which is why clothing comes out feeling soft.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harden. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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