as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
a group of toughened mountain bikers barreling up the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of toughened
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
Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 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
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
Cowboys’ Dak Attack is the better offense here, and ‘Boys defense has toughened since earlier in the season.
—Miami Herald, 25 Nov. 2025
The most powerful are those toughened by formidable competitors.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
Since the Supreme Court empowered local governments to crack down on homeless encampments in June, at least 40 jurisdictions around California have enacted new laws or toughened existing ones, according to the National Homelessness Law Center.
—Vanessa Rancaño, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
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
Scheffler started hot but cooled off as conditions toughened later in the day.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 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
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
Cowboys’ Dak Attack is the better offense here, and ‘Boys defense has toughened since earlier in the season.
—Miami Herald, 25 Nov. 2025
The most powerful are those toughened by formidable competitors.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
Since the Supreme Court empowered local governments to crack down on homeless encampments in June, at least 40 jurisdictions around California have enacted new laws or toughened existing ones, according to the National Homelessness Law Center.
—Vanessa Rancaño, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughened
Adjective
-
The team-captain label and All-American honors help, but the real selling points are Schrauth’s sturdy frame, strong hands and a physical style that works in tight quarters.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In an untitled work from 1995, a cluster of sturdy wagons sits at the edge of a frozen lake, a site where her family of peripatetic horse traders often camped.—
Ben Davis,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 2025, state legislators strengthened that law by adding additional protections.—
Karen Brown,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Her approach reflects a belief that leadership is strengthened through curiosity, adaptability and persistence.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But their hearts were hardened.—
Letters to the Editor,
Washington Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The judges also said the district court’s ruling violated a 1996 federal law that hardened immigration enforcement and restricted judicial power on immigration.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
June stiffened, a pillar of ice.—
Meredith Maran,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Officials this year have increased restrictions on flying drones and stiffened the penalties for their unauthorized use—including jail time.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Garlic is a slow-growing and cold-hardy plant that’s usually planted in garden beds in autumn, long after the rest of the garden has been put to bed for the year.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
-
This idyllic Austin property, designed with Texas heat in mind, uses hardy, drought-tolerant plants and pea gravel to replace thirsty turf.—
Katherine Owen,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Central bankers must be strong enough to listen to a diversity of views from all corners…humble enough to be open-minded to new ideas and new economic developments…wise enough to translate imperfect data into meaningful insight…and dedicated enough to make judgments faithfully and wisely.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The project increases Georgia’s already strong presence in the growing defense industry.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That's a tough ask given that this isn't the first time the network's credibility has come into question.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Another tough one, all having to do with writer friends and boundaries (or the lack thereof).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Netflix’s bracingly nasty action-thriller Apex is a fine addition, plonking the star down in a rugged Australian landscape and throwing nature’s formidable might at her while stirring a psychotic serial killer into the mix.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
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For Grylls, however, the attire is a uniform for a job that bridges the gap between A-list glamour and rugged human experience.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toughened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughened. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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