TOUGHENS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

toughens

verb

present tense third-person singular of toughen

as in strengthens

to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours

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as in hardens

to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure hiking every morning through snow and ice toughened him considerably

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as in stiffens

to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe attempts to toughen conditions under which waivers from military service would be permitted

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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 toughens Senegal’s president signed a law Monday that toughens punishment for homosexuality in the latest African country to impose harsh penalties against the LGBTQ+ community. —

Aleksandar Furtula, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026 Senegal 's parliament has approved a new bill that toughens punishment for homosexuality in the largely Muslim West African nation, the latest African country to impose harsh penalties against the LGBTQ+ community. —

ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026 Iran’s president toughens tone Pezeshkian said Iran’s military response would only strengthen. —

Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026 Iran’s president toughens tone In video comments Sunday, Pezeshkian said Iran’s military response would only strengthen. —

Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026 Consider that go-to little black dress; adding a sleek leather belt and some edgy silver jewelry toughens it up, and gives it a completely different vibe. —

Shelby Comroe, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026 Assembly Bill 1087 toughens penalties for drivers who cause a death while under the influence of intoxicants. —

Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026 Curing toughens the skin and helps heal small cuts, extending the squash's shelf life. —

Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026 The new figures come as Berlin toughens its stance on China, while trying not to rankle its top trading partner. —

semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughens

Verb

Murphy made a similar assertion in his Wednesday ruling, also claiming that the Supreme Court not immediately lifting the blocks on ending TPS for Haiti and Syria before justices hear those arguments strengthens his ruling.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 9 Apr. 2026
Rounds of showers and thunderstorms will move throughout Hawaiiuntil Thursday morning but will pick up intensity on Thursday afternoon as the Kona storm strengthens.

— Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026