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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Soft power that hardens into partnerships, pipelines, and actual policy shifts.
—Essence, 6 Nov. 2025
With Ciri missing and Vilgefortz still at large, Yennefer’s ambition hardens into purpose.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The confession struck him as both raw and deeply tragic, a glimpse of how ambition hardens into captivity.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Another team hardens those that show promise, building in compliance and integration from the beginning.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
When a partner continually feels trapped behind excuses or counterattacks, the original frustration then hardens into resentment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
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
Soft power that hardens into partnerships, pipelines, and actual policy shifts.
—Essence, 6 Nov. 2025
With Ciri missing and Vilgefortz still at large, Yennefer’s ambition hardens into purpose.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The confession struck him as both raw and deeply tragic, a glimpse of how ambition hardens into captivity.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Another team hardens those that show promise, building in compliance and integration from the beginning.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
When a partner continually feels trapped behind excuses or counterattacks, the original frustration then hardens into resentment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardens
Verb
-
Bury the edge of a wire cage a couple of inches below the soil, which is much easier to do before the ground freezes.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
-
That’s because rent freezes discourage housing construction, leading to scarcity, crumbling buildings and higher prices over time.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Key Takeaways Calcium builds and strengthens bones, while vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.—
T'Keyah Bazin,
Verywell Health,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Perhaps witnessing that transformation strengthens its usefulness to others.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
The light stiffens and grabs hold of us.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardens. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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