Synonyms of hardens

hardens

verb

present tense third-person singular of harden

1

as in freezes

to become physically firm or solid

the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air

Synonyms & Similar Words

• freezes
• stiffens
• solidifies
• congeals
• firms (up)
• concretes
• thickens
• sets
• crystallizes
• coagulates
• gels
• encrusts
• indurates
• petrifies
• gelatinizes
• calcifies
• cakes
• calluses
• ossifies
• jells
• jellies
• anneals
• clots
• tempers
• rigidifies
• gelates
• case-hardens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softens
• liquefies
• melts
• dissolves
• thaws
• fuses
• smelts
• unfreezes
• fluxes
• deliquesces

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strengthens
• toughens
• fortifies
• inures
• adjusts
• steels
• adapts
• seasons
• reinforces
• bolsters
• invigorates
• indurates
• anneals
• enforces
• acclimates
• tempers
• vitalizes
• braces
• immunizes
• acclimatizes
• accustoms
• conditions
• habituates
• boosts
• buttresses
• naturalizes
• supports
• forearms
• breaks in
• props (up)
• trains
• limbers (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softens
• weakens
• exhausts
• saps
• incapacitates
• cripples
• enfeebles
• sensitizes
• emasculates
• enervates
• debilitates
• hamstrings

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strengthens
• toughens
• fortifies
• beefs (up)
• anneals
• tempers
• energizes
• invigorates
• firms (up)
• vitalizes
• tones (up)
• restrengthens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakens
• hurts
• paralyzes
• impairs
• injures
• cripples
• damages
• debilitates
• harms
• enervates
• enfeebles
• undermines
• incapacitates
• breaks down
• undercuts
• wears out
• saps

4

as in stiffens

to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe

the government hardened restrictions on travel to and from the war-torn nation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stiffens
• strengthens
• toughens
• harshens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eases
• lessens
• softens
• moderates
• ameliorates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hardens

This buildup, called plaque, narrows and hardens the arteries, causing health problems. — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Oil prices are ticking up, as Iran hardens its stance over control of the Strait of Hormuz and other demands to end the war, dashing hopes for a quick deal to reopen the waterway. — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

The first ingredient of note is hexanal, which strengthens and hardens nails. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026

The thermometer scenario is about whether harvest volatility quietly hardens into harvest decline. — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Once pressure hardens into price, policy, habit, infrastructure, or culture, the choices narrow. — Frank Diana, Time, 30 July 2026

Instead of building parts one layer at a time, the system hardens the printing material all at once, producing seamless structures. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Practically overnight, Sylvia’s cozy attitude toward the girl hardens into coolness, impatience and neglect. — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026

Beth's expression immediately hardens. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026