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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 patterns become clear and predictable, the organization hardens them into deterministic rules.
—
Jakob Freund,
Forbes.com,
18 June 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
The observations revealed a temporary chemical pathway that reshapes how the material hardens.
—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
The process relies on urushi, a natural lacquer derived from tree sap that hardens over time into a durable, food-safe coating.
—
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Tissue culture is a cloning process where, for orchids, shoot tips and axillary or side buds are sterilized and placed on agar — a jelly-like material that hardens into a firm gel — that contains plant nutrients and hormones.
—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
14 May 2026
Traditional bridge construction in Iran, Oman, and Afghanistan often involved the use of sarooj, a special hydraulic mortar (a mortar that hardens on contact with water) made of lime, clay, sand, and, in some recipes, gypsum.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Lightly scrub grout or tile lines before buildup hardens further.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Jakob Freund,
Forbes.com,
18 June 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
The observations revealed a temporary chemical pathway that reshapes how the material hardens.
—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
The process relies on urushi, a natural lacquer derived from tree sap that hardens over time into a durable, food-safe coating.
—
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Tissue culture is a cloning process where, for orchids, shoot tips and axillary or side buds are sterilized and placed on agar — a jelly-like material that hardens into a firm gel — that contains plant nutrients and hormones.
—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
14 May 2026
Traditional bridge construction in Iran, Oman, and Afghanistan often involved the use of sarooj, a special hydraulic mortar (a mortar that hardens on contact with water) made of lime, clay, sand, and, in some recipes, gypsum.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Lightly scrub grout or tile lines before buildup hardens further.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardens
Verb
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Restricted airflow and low refrigerant levels are the most common reasons your AC freezes in hot weather.
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This setup cuts through major wartime risks by ensuring that Polish capital can move freely across the border, immune to any emergency payment freezes Kyiv might impose.
Verb
-
Culture strengthens when communication is transparent, feedback loops close and leaders are accountable for engagement.
-
Scientists say similar widespread impacts have not yet been documented in the current marine heatwave, but warn that conditions could shift quickly if El Niño strengthens as forecast.
Verb
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For seven-and-a-half years, Ladd had dealt with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease that stiffens and scars the lungs.
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To execute its ruthless 66-pound weight loss program, the rear seats have been completely deleted, replaced by a massive structural strut brace that significantly stiffens the chassis.
Cite this Entry
“Hardens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardens. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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