1
as in freezing
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in stiffening
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 hardening
Clinker consists predominantly of calcium silicate minerals known as alite and belite, compounds largely responsible for cement’s strength and hardening behavior.
—
New Atlas, 26 May 2026
That means repairing seawalls and bolstering shorelines, restoring wetlands, improving stormwater management and drainage, ensuring clean lakes, hardening infrastructure, and keeping homes and roadways out of the water.
—Anna V. Eskamani, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Florida’s aging condominiums that are now undergoing mandatory structural inspections and receiving insurance discounts for storm-hardening improvements are going to continue implementing major repairs and renovations for the foreseeable future.
—Meily Perez, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026
But recent days have seen the ominous appearance of public gun kiosks, where civilians are being offered basic lessons in using weapons – a sign of how the hardening Iranian authorities are readying people for further conflict.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardening
New Atlas, 26 May 2026
That means repairing seawalls and bolstering shorelines, restoring wetlands, improving stormwater management and drainage, ensuring clean lakes, hardening infrastructure, and keeping homes and roadways out of the water.
—Anna V. Eskamani, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Florida’s aging condominiums that are now undergoing mandatory structural inspections and receiving insurance discounts for storm-hardening improvements are going to continue implementing major repairs and renovations for the foreseeable future.
—Meily Perez, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026
But recent days have seen the ominous appearance of public gun kiosks, where civilians are being offered basic lessons in using weapons – a sign of how the hardening Iranian authorities are readying people for further conflict.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardening
Verb
-
Instead, anglers should kill the fish by freezing it or placing it on ice for an extended period, the agency states.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
Locally temperatures may drop to near or just below freezing early Wednesday morning.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
This unique capability supports readiness while strengthening the industrial base and bringing certainty to modernization.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
Bell unspooled an agenda centered on improving graduation rates and job placement, strengthening athletics, enhancing Greek life and the broader student experience, recruiting top faculty and expanding UF’s academic medical enterprise.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Chronic inflammation damages blood vessels, stiffening them and increasing resistance.—
Jennifer Berger,
Verywell Health,
1 June 2026
-
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
“Hardening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardening. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
