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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Recent Examples of toughen
Senior forward Devan Cambridge believes UCF sometimes gets too comfortable and needs to toughen up, particularly on defense.
—
Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2026
On her feet were a pair of custom Conquillas by Christian Louboutin, referencing the memorable fall winter 2014 shoes with a spiked silhouette and heelless platform—toughened up, but still reminiscent of the super-arched shoes of the Barbie era.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2026
His detractors, however, criticize the mayor for focusing on short-term housing for the homeless at the expense of long-term solutions, threatening to arrest homeless people, and supporting Proposition 36, which Newsom opposed, that toughened penalties against repeat drug and theft offenses.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026
Unnerved by his son’s reverence, Big Ant keeps his distance from the boy and subtly pressures him to toughen up and abandon his artistic pursuits.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2026
On her feet were a pair of custom Conquillas by Christian Louboutin, referencing the memorable fall winter 2014 shoes with a spiked silhouette and heelless platform—toughened up, but still reminiscent of the super-arched shoes of the Barbie era.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2026
His detractors, however, criticize the mayor for focusing on short-term housing for the homeless at the expense of long-term solutions, threatening to arrest homeless people, and supporting Proposition 36, which Newsom opposed, that toughened penalties against repeat drug and theft offenses.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026
Unnerved by his son’s reverence, Big Ant keeps his distance from the boy and subtly pressures him to toughen up and abandon his artistic pursuits.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughen
Verb
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This serum purportedly counteracts that, working to de-age the scalp, thus thickening and strengthening strands.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
6 Mar. 2026
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The first step replenishes skin’s water levels, and the second protects it—a combination that improves elasticity, calms inflammation, and strengthens barrier integrity.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The lunar sea Mare Crisium (the Sea of Crisis) is just visible as a dark circular feature at the top of the sunlit lunar disk, where lava flooded a network of impact craters over a billion years ago, before hardening into a vast basaltic plain.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
4 Mar. 2026
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And on those higher ozone days, there were more hemorrhage (bleeding, as opposed to clotting) strokes and more plaque buildup causing major arteries to harden.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The materials can bend, buckle, or stiffen without electronics, sensors, or active control.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
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The machine dryer agitates the clothing and prevents fibers from stiffening during drying, which is why clothing comes out feeling soft.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughen. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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