1
as in to strengthen
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force
weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to harden
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
hiking every morning through snow and ice toughened him considerably
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3
as in to stiffen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
attempts to toughen conditions under which waivers from military service would be permitted
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of toughen
These can dry out or toughen quickly.
—
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
Many of the steps that governments could take to protect and toughen their second-strike capabilities risk alarming rivals, potentially spurring expensive and dangerous arms races.
—Sam Winter-Levy, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2025
The most powerful are those toughened by formidable competitors.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
For example, perhaps the individuals living in the Amud cave preferred to dry out their carcasses before processing them, which would have toughened the meat and required different cutting strategies.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
Many of the steps that governments could take to protect and toughen their second-strike capabilities risk alarming rivals, potentially spurring expensive and dangerous arms races.
—Sam Winter-Levy, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2025
The most powerful are those toughened by formidable competitors.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
For example, perhaps the individuals living in the Amud cave preferred to dry out their carcasses before processing them, which would have toughened the meat and required different cutting strategies.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughen
Verb
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But there is really no reason why this should be the case for Pilates—which consists of different low-impact movements to strengthen your core muscles, increase your flexibility, improve your posture and give you more awareness of your body in general.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Wieffer was bought to strengthen Brighton in the centre of the pitch following the summer 2023 sales of Moises Caicedo to Chelsea and Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But as Beijing hardens its ties with Russia, North Korea and other nations unfriendly to the West, the emergence of two camps and the contest between them appears clearer than ever.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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Veith realized this reversible property, known as shear thickening, could be used to create a protective additive that instantly hardens under impact, dramatically reducing the risk of fires in lithium-ion batteries.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But most recently it has been hit from several sides, most notably stiffening competition primarily from Amazon, off-pricers and membership clubs as well as Walmart and Target.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
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Lane picked up three on first down, but the Otay Ranch defense stiffened, turning back the next two runs for no gain.—
Kevin J. Farmer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughen. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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