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 softer elements were toughened up with leather buckles, harnesses, ‘60s silhouettes, burgundy, blues and touches of Miuccia Prada’s influence.
—
Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 25 Feb. 2025
In the November election, voters approved Proposition 36, which toughened anti-crime laws by turning many drug and theft crimes into felonies.
—The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 2 Mar. 2025
The Iranian president then immediately toughened his own remarks on the U.S.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 2025
The Yellow Jackets’ schedule is about to toughen up considerably, starting with a home series against Clemson followed by a trip to ACC newcomer Stanford.
—Mitch Light, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 25 Feb. 2025
In the November election, voters approved Proposition 36, which toughened anti-crime laws by turning many drug and theft crimes into felonies.
—The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 2 Mar. 2025
The Iranian president then immediately toughened his own remarks on the U.S.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 2025
The Yellow Jackets’ schedule is about to toughen up considerably, starting with a home series against Clemson followed by a trip to ACC newcomer Stanford.
—Mitch Light, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughen
Verb
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Lastly, the acquisition strengthens the company’s balance sheet and should allow for significant share repurchases over time.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2025
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And the reports are then published, so the broader firefighting community can strengthen its procedures to avoid similar losses.—
Mark Olalde,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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These were also the years when Twain’s contradictions began to harden into gleaming marble.—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
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Dirt and sweat can dry and harden your gloves and soil the inside, defeating their purpose of protecting your hands.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Pindar said the fascia can stiffen under stress or illness, reducing circulation and making waste removal more difficult.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Apr. 2025
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The Energy Department typically stiffens a requirement only after years of study, comment, negotiation and testing (and sometimes litigation) among industry, consumer and environmental groups.—
Peter Elkind,
ProPublica,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughen. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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