as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
a group of toughened mountain bikers barreling up the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughened
Adjective
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
-
Serving tray for entertaining $25 to $50 This straightforward serving tray is a reliable standard that’s sturdy and comes in seven colors.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Zelenskyy also informed Trump about how Ukraine's position along the eastern front line has improved and strengthened.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
Recent policy developments have further strengthened California’s position in the emerging fusion sector.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Twelve years later, there’s more salt and pepper in Rogen’s beard and more vinegar in his demeanor; the let-it-all-hang-out comic boisterousness of his Judd Apatow days has hardened into a shell of middle-aged aggression.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
19 June 2026
-
The left’s internationalism—once the calling card of progress—has hardened into hostility to Israel, across academia, NGOs, mainstream-media outlets, and the United Nations.—
Adam Louis-Klein,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Nicks on the edge or stiffened, curled rubber will leave streaks.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
-
The moose flinched and stiffened.—
Fred Bear,
Outdoor Life,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
These flowers are quite hardy and will thrive in USDA planting zones 2–11.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 June 2026
-
The bush was awash in a golden glow, a searing orange blaze stretching across the horizon where hardy vegetation met the sky.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
Catherine Bracy, the CEO of TechEquity, a tech advocacy group that favors stronger AI regulations, speculated that the Anthropic employees were receiving advice to back Becerra because of his frontrunner status.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
-
Sinks on the vanity have slanted, green marble angles giving them a trendy look, and the faucet’s water spray is equivalent to a drenching rainfall shower (wide, strong, and incredibly impressive).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
McIlroy bogeyed 18 to finish at one under, squarely in the hunt, considering the tough conditions limited scoring.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
Parker, a former Eagles assistant, has risen quickly through the NFL coaching ranks and now faces a tough task with a roster full of new faces and high expectations.—
Briana Aldridge,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Travelers experience Marlborough wine country, Kaikoura wildlife, the Southern Alps, the rugged West Coast, and Queenstown.—
Steve Madgwick,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
-
For anyone venturing off-the-grid or out deep in nature, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a top contender as a rugged, adventure-suitable wearable.—
Cierra Cowan,
PC Magazine,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toughened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughened. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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