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
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
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
-
Although United want to add two midfielders, doing both at a price point in the £70m-plus region — echoing their three big signings last summer — might be beyond their finances this time round, given the further squad strengthening required.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Organized by the Malta Film Commission, the festival is set to grow in both scale and ambition this year, with an enlarged program of screenings, industry events and cultural offerings aimed at strengthening Malta’s role as an international filmmaking hub.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Having won best in show at TinyFest over the past two years keeps Wilson coming back to the expo with new home designs, which are stick built and feature fire hardening.—
Amancai Biraben,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The sky was the color of cotton candy, but the stale kind that’s been hardening in a plastic bag for days after the fair.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The machine dryer agitates the clothing and prevents fibers from stiffening during drying, which is why clothing comes out feeling soft.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The Czech Republic’s new government will seek to transform the defense industry into an engine of the nation’s export economy as the flagship auto sector faces stiffening competition, Karel Havlicek, minister for industry and trade, told us.—
Suzanne Lynch,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toughening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughening. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
