1
as in freezing
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 strengthening
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 toughening
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 stiffening
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 hardening
Transplanting Seedlings Outdoors What applies to the hardening off process is also true for the timing of planting seedlings—earlier last frost means earlier transplanting, and vice versa.
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Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 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
Having proclaimed Reform as the de facto opposition, Labour spent much of its first year in government trying to appeal to right-wing voters by hardening its rhetoric and policy on immigration.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardening
Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 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
Having proclaimed Reform as the de facto opposition, Labour spent much of its first year in government trying to appeal to right-wing voters by hardening its rhetoric and policy on immigration.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardening
Verb
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The weather in Wales was terrible, with snow and freezing temperatures and Arctic gales.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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Temperatures drop below freezing early Saturday morning.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The airline says the new and expanded routes reflect rising demand for Florida travel, particularly between the West Coast and Palm Beach, and reinforce its long-term commitment to strengthening connectivity in high-growth markets.—
Skyler Shepard,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
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At the invitation-only Fortune COO Summit, taking place June 1–2 in Arizona, COOs from the nation’s largest companies will come together to examine how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping operating models, strengthening resilience, and enabling faster and smarter decision-making.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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The Czech Republic’s new government will seek to transform the defense industry into an engine of the nation’s export economy as the flagship auto sector faces stiffening competition, Karel Havlicek, minister for industry and trade, told us.—
Suzanne Lynch,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hardening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardening. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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