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
Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 18 July 2025
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
Last year, the city toughened its national security law, and vocal political dissent has largely been silenced.
—Katie Tam and Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Centrist politicians across Europe have toughened their migration policies in recent months, spooked by the electoral success of charismatic right-wing and anti-migrant leaders.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Harris, like her boss, has recently toughened her position on border security.
—Charlotte Alter / Pittsburgh, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024
The centre-right government toughened migration policy in June.
—Afp, Fortune Europe, 30 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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 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
Last year, the city toughened its national security law, and vocal political dissent has largely been silenced.
—Katie Tam and Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Centrist politicians across Europe have toughened their migration policies in recent months, spooked by the electoral success of charismatic right-wing and anti-migrant leaders.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Harris, like her boss, has recently toughened her position on border security.
—Charlotte Alter / Pittsburgh, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024
The centre-right government toughened migration policy in June.
—Afp, Fortune Europe, 30 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughened
Adjective
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No matter what someone’s day entails, a sturdy tote bag is sure to come in handy.—
L. Daniela Alvarez,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Sep. 2025
-
If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Consumer spending has continued to prove resilient, and business investment, far from retreating, has strengthened in sectors tied to artificial intelligence, energy infrastructure, and manufacturing reshoring.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Abuja published guidance on how the private sector should work with government agencies to tackle financial crimes, and Pretoria has strengthened legislation on the disclosure of beneficial ownership for companies and trusts.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Here, the situation has changed, leaving many of the gods either hardened or embittered by the conflict.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Whether those capabilities can be extended and hardened for long hours and high-stakes industrial settings remains to be seen.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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McDaniel made the point that the Dolphins’ defensive line and run defense stiffened somewhat after struggling badly on the first drive.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
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Only on particularly bumpy tarmac did the GTS-spec suspension become too jarring with the adaptive dampers stiffened up in sport mode, but switching them to normal offered the best of both worlds—excellent, composed body control and tuning that ironed out imperfections remarkably well.—
Peter Nelson,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Most varieties are hardy in Zones 5-9, and some, like English lavender, can handle extreme cold and harsh winter weather.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
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Warm-weather plants, like peppers, should only be planted outdoors after your last frost date of spring, but cold-hardy crops, like brassicas, can be planted earlier.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In fact, while vision isn’t their strongest sense, dogs may even be able to see certain aspects of a TV show.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Oct. 2025
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The young right-hander put together a strong season, but few were better after the All-Star break.—
Sahadev Sharma,
New York Times,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Lammens was perhaps fortunate to escape sanction then (Stuart Atwell booked the forward for diving), but this was a valuable occasion ahead of tougher tests, beginning at Anfield.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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There will be some tough picking in there, but typically the predicting business gets a little easier in region play.—
Tyler Palmateer,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The volume opens with a photo of TCU’s Land Acknowledgment monument, a rugged, granite boulder with a circular bronze plaque.—
Hollace Ava Weiner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
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There was a lull from mid-March through the end of the regular season — the team, at least at the time, pointed to a rugged schedule with trips all over the country sandwiched around brief stops at home — but when the playoffs began, well, the Cavs had the best series, statistically, in history.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toughened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughened. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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