Synonyms of toughen

toughen

verb

ˈtə-fən 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strengthen
• harden
• fortify
• beef (up)
• temper
• invigorate
• anneal
• tone (up)
• energize
• vitalize
• firm (up)
• restrengthen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaken
• hurt
• impair
• cripple
• injure
• paralyze
• harm
• damage
• debilitate
• enervate
• enfeeble
• undermine
• incapacitate
• break down
• wear out
• undercut
• sap

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strengthen
• harden
• fortify
• adjust
• inure
• steel
• bolster
• adapt
• season
• reinforce
• acclimate
• indurate
• enforce
• invigorate
• temper
• brace
• vitalize
• acclimatize
• anneal
• reenforce
• immunize
• buttress
• accustom
• boost
• condition
• habituate
• break in
• support
• prop (up)
• train
• naturalize
• forearm
• limber (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• soften
• weaken
• exhaust
• emasculate
• sap
• cripple
• incapacitate
• hamstring
• sensitize
• enfeeble
• enervate
• debilitate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strengthen
• stiffen
• harden
• harshen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ease
• lessen
• soften
• ameliorate
• moderate

Examples of toughen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The new rules, which toughen restrictions announced in June, bar migrants from being granted asylum when U.S. officials deem that the southern border is overwhelmed. —Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024

However, through the volatility and lean times, these producers have toughened themselves through cost efficiencies and stronger balance sheets. —Bryce Erickson, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

Earlier this year, President Joe Biden signed an executive order that gave the U.S. Coast Guard new powers to toughen cybersecurity at U.S. shipping ports. —Sam Sabin, Axios, 17 Sep. 2024

No one talks glibly about police brutality or head injuries anymore, nor urges players to toughen up. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2024