Synonyms of toughened

toughened 1 of 2

adjective

as in sturdy

able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure

a group of toughened mountain bikers barreling up the hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sturdy
• hardy
• strong
• hardened
• tough
• rugged
• stout
• vigorous
• durable
• robust
• cast-iron
• inured
• hard
• hard-bitten
• healthy
• permanent
• staunch
• resilient
• thriving
• stable
• tenacious
• flinty
• leathery
• tempered
• enduring
• unyielding
• stalwart
• lasting
• fortified
• muscular
• staying
• everlasting
• immortal
• flourishing
• brawny
• imperishable
• able-bodied
• seasoned
• fit
• virile
• annealed
• prospering
• sound
• husky
• lusty
• hale
• strapping
• red-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weak
• soft
• delicate
• weakened
• worn
• tender
• wasted
• enfeebled
• emasculated
• exhausted
• debilitated
• crippled
• fragile
• diseased
• incapacitated
• unsound
• infirm
• sensitive
• vulnerable
• susceptible
• nonhardy
• puny
• frail
• sapped
• enervated
• temporary
• worn-out
• yielding
• transient
• mortal
• run-down
• resistless
• perishable
• unresistant

toughened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of toughen

1

as in strengthened

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

• strengthened
• hardened
• fortified
• tempered
• beefed (up)
• annealed
• invigorated
• energized
• vitalized
• toned (up)
• firmed (up)
• restrengthened

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakened
• crippled
• hurt
• damaged
• impaired
• injured
• paralyzed
• incapacitated
• harmed
• enfeebled
• debilitated
• enervated
• undermined
• broke down
• undercut
• sapped
• wore out

2

as in hardened

to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure

hiking every morning through snow and ice toughened him considerably

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strengthened
• hardened
• fortified
• inured
• steeled
• adjusted
• indurated
• reinforced
• bolstered
• seasoned
• adapted
• tempered
• braced
• enforced
• annealed
• acclimated
• invigorated
• acclimatized
• immunized
• accustomed
• buttressed
• vitalized
• boosted
• conditioned
• supported
• trained
• habituated
• propped (up)
• broke in
• naturalized
• forearmed
• limbered (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softened
• weakened
• exhausted
• sapped
• crippled
• incapacitated
• enfeebled
• sensitized
• emasculated
• enervated
• debilitated
• hamstrung

3

as in stiffened

to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe

attempts to toughen conditions under which waivers from military service would be permitted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strengthened
• stiffened
• hardened
• harshened

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eased
• softened
• lessened
• ameliorated
• moderated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of toughened

Adjective

But her thickened skin, along with her toughened reputation, felt supple now. — Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026

Trump announced a toughened stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine on Monday, setting a 50-day deadline for Moscow to reach a ceasefire or face sanctions. — Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 18 July 2025

Verb

The polo top denotes a sense of put-togetherness, with any sense of stuffiness softened when styled with feminine skirts or toughened up with denim and leather. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 July 2026

Britain has increasingly toughened its approach to tech firms, urging or forcing them to adapt their algorithms and, most recently, prevent children from circulating ​nude images taken on mobile phones. — Paul Sandle, USA Today, 16 June 2026

Britain has increasingly toughened its approach to tech companies in recent years, urging or forcing them to impose age verification, adapt their algorithms and, most recently, prevent children from circulating nude images taken on mobile phones. — Reuters, CNN Money, 15 June 2026

Subaru sharpened it, toughened it and elevated it. — Tim Jackson, Denver Post, 29 May 2026

Scheffler started hot but cooled off as conditions toughened later in the day. — Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 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

The Cook County chief judge’s office has toughened protocols around its electronic monitoring program, making changes in the wake of high-profile incidents and as the office’s monitored population swells. — Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026

The fatal flaw couldn’t be sufficiently mitigated, though, once the schedule toughened. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026