1
as in strengthening
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hardening
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 stiffening
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of toughening
The tender side of Strout is her hopefulness—and that may be toughening up.
—
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
In the nineties, hip-hop was toughening up the sound of American popular music; Jackson, fey and theatrical, seemed increasingly distant from the cultural mainstream.
—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Running statewide, Bianco’s priorities include toughening public safety laws and addressing homelessness through law enforcement involvement.
—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
In the nineties, hip-hop was toughening up the sound of American popular music; Jackson, fey and theatrical, seemed increasingly distant from the cultural mainstream.
—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Running statewide, Bianco’s priorities include toughening public safety laws and addressing homelessness through law enforcement involvement.
—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughening
Verb
-
There are many claims about what the Japanese towel roll stretch does, such as correcting posture, aligning the spine, strengthening the core, and promoting weight loss.
-
Both trends increase demand for high-quality healthcare data, strengthening IQVIA's position as an indispensable partner to the pharmaceutical industry.
Verb
-
Candor, without the balance of Humility, Temperance, and Collaboration, risks hardening into rigidity, creating blind spots and stifling relationships.
-
As that assumption erodes, attention has shifted from hardening GPS toward security through diversification.
Verb
-
Major media companies operating traditional linear networks have been under pressure in recent years amid stiffening competition from large tech rivals as programming migrates to streaming.
-
Volkswagen’s premium Audi brand has lost much of its luster in recent years, dragged down by trade tariffs, stiffening competition and a patchy electric-vehicle roster.
Cite this Entry
“Toughening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughening. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
