1
as in freezes
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strengthens
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 toughens
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 stiffens
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 hardens
As temperature rises, these vibrations intensify, creating a more chaotic, more resistant barrier that paradoxically hardens the metal’s surface against high-speed stress.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
As a result, the product hardens, strengthens, and smooths brittle, peeling nails.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
The regime shapes us into its likeness, hardens the heart.
—Azar Nafisi, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
The presence of an external enemy unifies the security forces, hardens their resolve, prevents defections, and makes internal fractures less likely.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
The shoots are harvested before the plant hardens into the woody stalks that bamboo is famous for — and that pandas chew.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Then the storm moves on, the sun returns, and the surface hardens again, cracked and chalky, as if the place is trying to erase the evidence that water ever touched it.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2026
But her attitude toward them eventually hardens.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
The allegations against Brian Jordan Alvarez complicate the experience of enjoying English Teacher, especially in the moments when the show’s breezy tone hardens into dismissiveness.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
As a result, the product hardens, strengthens, and smooths brittle, peeling nails.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
The regime shapes us into its likeness, hardens the heart.
—Azar Nafisi, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
The presence of an external enemy unifies the security forces, hardens their resolve, prevents defections, and makes internal fractures less likely.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
The shoots are harvested before the plant hardens into the woody stalks that bamboo is famous for — and that pandas chew.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Then the storm moves on, the sun returns, and the surface hardens again, cracked and chalky, as if the place is trying to erase the evidence that water ever touched it.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2026
But her attitude toward them eventually hardens.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
The allegations against Brian Jordan Alvarez complicate the experience of enjoying English Teacher, especially in the moments when the show’s breezy tone hardens into dismissiveness.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardens
Verb
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This allows roots to establish while the soil is still warm but air temperatures are cooling, before the ground freezes, which reduces stress.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
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Nothing freezes a boarding line faster than someone standing mid-aisle, opening their bag to retrieve over-ear headphones, snacks, or a book.—
Julie Rousseau,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Civil discourse strengthens democracy.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Masashi Kitazawa, professor of Environmental & Occupational Health at UC Irvine, said the study further strengthens the possible causal link between particulate matter and Alzheimer's disease.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The luxury retailer, weighed down by debt, is under pressure as consumers shift their shopping habits and competition stiffens.—
Brian Womack,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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The schedule stiffens over the final four with Green Bay and Jacksonville at home, a Christmas night game at Kansas City and then Week 18 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardens. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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