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

Italy also temporarily toughened controls on travel from the country. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

But after Martínez-Olguín set the trial for March 2 — instead of November as Paramount had asked — the company grew antsy and toughened its legal tactics. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Officials have also toughened their stance on capital leaving the country. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

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

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