1
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
hardened from years of deprivation and grief, the man regarded the house fire as just another misfortune in a life filled with them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
hardened cynics regarded those TV shows as being anything but reality-based
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in froze
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strengthened
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in toughened
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in stiffened
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
the government hardened restrictions on travel to and from the war-torn nation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hardened
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
The hardened sediment largely contained the mineral brucite — created through alkaline waste interacting with magnesium in the ocean water that resulted in the crust-like surface surrounding the barrels.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
The missile’s low-G launch from the cannon avoids the need for hardened components, while a rocket motor accelerates it to low supersonic speeds.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
Lighthouse station California’s Central Coast may no longer have active volcanoes, but there is plenty of evidence of ancient volcanic activity, from plugs like Morro Rock (the hardened interior of a former volcano) to stacks (islands formed from eroded volcanic rock).
—A.k. Whitney, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Tren de Aragua originated more than a decade ago at an infamously lawless prison with hardened criminals in Venezuela’s central state of Aragua.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
By breeding Florida’s hardened survivors with Honduran corals, the scientists hope to create offspring that will carry a new heat-resistant genetic armor for the climate battles ahead.
—Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
And maybe, just maybe, a horseshoe-moustached, hardened rocker with a booming growl will quietly leave a grocery store tomorrow to take his mushroom mocha milk back home.
—Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
The prison houses some of El Salvador's most hardened criminals, including mass murderers and gang members, is renowned for its harsh conditions.
—Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
None of the six summer arrivals have yet taken English football by storm and Wolves needed at least a couple of players who were battle-hardened in the league.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Kim and his influential sister, Korean Workers' Party Publicity and Information Department Deputy Director Kim Yo Jong, have only hardened their rhetoric against South Korea in recent years, and the North Korean ruler has simultaneously doubled down on nuclear development.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
By the time the true story of Pearl Jam’s name emerged, the story of Grandma Pearl’s hallucinogenic jam had already hardened into fact for most people.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
What began as a gradual shift in late 2023 has, in 2025, hardened into uncompromising policies.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2025
Stamp retained his looks as the years ticked by, his natural handsomeness hardened by a more grizzled look.
—Pan Pylas, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Dating disappointments have hardened them.
—Tanyel Mustafa, Refinery29, 13 Aug. 2025
Simeone’s men are battle-hardened and should be ready for another test.
—Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
For example, the military's ultra-hardened Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellites in geosynchronous orbit are designed to operate through an electromagnetic pulse and nuclear scintillation.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
The hardened sediment largely contained the mineral brucite — created through alkaline waste interacting with magnesium in the ocean water that resulted in the crust-like surface surrounding the barrels.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
The missile’s low-G launch from the cannon avoids the need for hardened components, while a rocket motor accelerates it to low supersonic speeds.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
Lighthouse station California’s Central Coast may no longer have active volcanoes, but there is plenty of evidence of ancient volcanic activity, from plugs like Morro Rock (the hardened interior of a former volcano) to stacks (islands formed from eroded volcanic rock).
—A.k. Whitney, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Tren de Aragua originated more than a decade ago at an infamously lawless prison with hardened criminals in Venezuela’s central state of Aragua.
—Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
By breeding Florida’s hardened survivors with Honduran corals, the scientists hope to create offspring that will carry a new heat-resistant genetic armor for the climate battles ahead.
—Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
And maybe, just maybe, a horseshoe-moustached, hardened rocker with a booming growl will quietly leave a grocery store tomorrow to take his mushroom mocha milk back home.
—Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
The prison houses some of El Salvador's most hardened criminals, including mass murderers and gang members, is renowned for its harsh conditions.
—Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
However, the better individual homes are hardened with flame-resistant siding, roofs, windows and vents, and flammable surrounding items like vegetation, fences and sheds between houses are reduced, the less likely fire will spread from building to building, the study found.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
None of the six summer arrivals have yet taken English football by storm and Wolves needed at least a couple of players who were battle-hardened in the league.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Kim and his influential sister, Korean Workers' Party Publicity and Information Department Deputy Director Kim Yo Jong, have only hardened their rhetoric against South Korea in recent years, and the North Korean ruler has simultaneously doubled down on nuclear development.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
By the time the true story of Pearl Jam’s name emerged, the story of Grandma Pearl’s hallucinogenic jam had already hardened into fact for most people.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
What began as a gradual shift in late 2023 has, in 2025, hardened into uncompromising policies.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2025
Stamp retained his looks as the years ticked by, his natural handsomeness hardened by a more grizzled look.
—Pan Pylas, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Dating disappointments have hardened them.
—Tanyel Mustafa, Refinery29, 13 Aug. 2025
Simeone’s men are battle-hardened and should be ready for another test.
—Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardened
Adjective
-
The sturdy steel frame holds up to 650 pounds, while the insulated cup holders cool and keep drinks within reach.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
-
If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Viewers were quick to point out the hilarity of the dog's stubborn protest, with many suggesting that the dachshund had already claimed permanent rights to the bed.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The stubborn myth that Jews are too safe to be targets is colliding with a painful new reality.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The lakes froze thick enough to skate across, the air stung sharp in the lungs, and the game every boy seemed to dream about was hockey.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In July, the department also froze and later unfroze $6 billion in education funding meant to go to school programs for vulnerable students.—
Lily Altavena,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The past month has renewed conversations about home rule, which many Democrats believe should be strengthened.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
-
These examples show that more protections need to be established and strengthened, advocates say.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Despite herself, Cali stiffened.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Lane picked up three on first down, but the Otay Ranch defense stiffened, turning back the next two runs for no gain.—
Kevin J. Farmer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
French Lavender French lavender (Lavandula dentata) is not as hardy as other varieties of lavender, so a vigorous pruning can kill it.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Native to central Asia, oriental poppies (Papaver orientale) are perennials that are winter-hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3-7.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
However, her mother is adamant about keeping the canine off the antique chair.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Sandlin was adamant that his engineering team has done everything possible to ensure no adverse impact to neighboring properties.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Washington counts Qatar as a strong Gulf ally.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The audio-streaming platform has amassed a sizable free cash flow due to its strong revenue growth, a figure that has been boosted by the company's swelling active user base in recent financial quarters.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardened. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share