TOUGHEN Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

toughen

verb

ˈtə-fən

Definition of toughen

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of toughen The military service Cyrus pushes Adam into is meant to toughen him up. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 The findings come as state officials are proposing to overhaul decades-old pesticide regulations to toughen enforcement and standardize penalties. — Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 The remaining states — including the swing states of Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina — have measures for this fall's general election that would toughen ID requirements for voters. — Benjamin Swasey, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 Greece’s conservative government has been toughening its migration policies. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for toughen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughen

Verb

Studies also suggest that El Niño can strengthen and accelerate the frequency of nor'easters by pushing warm, moist air to the north.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Colleges and universities can take advantage of their expertise, resources and autonomy from the traditional K-12 education establishment to strengthen not only the state’s charter movement, but public education in their communities.

— Thibaut Delloue, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of strengthen

Verb

The building materials are fire-resistant, as are the windows, and the eaves are fire-hardened as well.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
The process, called cured-in-place pipe lining, involves inserting a flexible liner into the old pipe, inflating it and hardening it in place.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of harden

Verb

Some people stiffen up and look pretty uncomfortable in front of my big camera.

— Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Nov. 2026
The United States and its allies must strive to stiffen the security of their military research, production, and supply chains.

— Sam Mullins, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026