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
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
Leaders start trusting that past wins will carry them forward, and the trust hardens into something that no longer gets examined.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 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
Whether schools catch up, whether employers reverse the junior hiring freeze, and whether Washington produces anything resembling a workforce policy will determine whether the current anxiety hardens into something permanent.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
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
Leaders start trusting that past wins will carry them forward, and the trust hardens into something that no longer gets examined.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 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
Whether schools catch up, whether employers reverse the junior hiring freeze, and whether Washington produces anything resembling a workforce policy will determine whether the current anxiety hardens into something permanent.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardens
Verb
-
When water freezes, these impurities solidify and block the straight path of light through the ice.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
-
When a delinquent account turns into a court judgment, a creditor can pursue a bank levy that freezes the account where those benefits land.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Promoting talent internally strengthens employee retention, reduces recruitment costs and enhances company culture.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
The Kérastase Chronologiste Revitalizing Youth Shampoo removes buildup, cleanses the scalp, softens and strengthens strands (meaning less breakage), increases moisture starting at the root, improves follicle health (meaning less shedding), and imparts shine.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
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.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Golden State’s schedule stiffens with an upcoming trip to New York and Indiana.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hardens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardens. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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