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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughening
Verb
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This movement combines adductor strengthening on one side with stretching on the other.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025 -
Meanwhile, Humberto has become a hurricane northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and is forecast to continue strengthening.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Options for intervention range from monitoring the person or hardening a target like a school, Amman said, or, in more extreme cases, invoking red flag laws or involuntarily committing someone.—
Ian Berry,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
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Wilson’s absolutist rhetoric makes nuanced immigration reform harder by alienating potential allies and hardening opposition.—
Letters to the Editor,
Oc Register,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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China has been a consistent source of stress for Apple, given the stiffening smartphone competition and its huge manufacturing presence in the country.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
15 Sep. 2025
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But most recently it has been hit from several sides, most notably stiffening competition primarily from Amazon, off-pricers and membership clubs as well as Walmart and Target.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Toughening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughening. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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