1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hardens
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 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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of toughens
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
Losing to the Dolphins (1-5) before the schedule toughens would’ve stretched the team’s losing streak to three games.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
The schedule toughens after next week at Carolina, and now with Hill lost?
—Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
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
Losing to the Dolphins (1-5) before the schedule toughens would’ve stretched the team’s losing streak to three games.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
The schedule toughens after next week at Carolina, and now with Hill lost?
—Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughens
Verb
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Gentle honesty strengthens bonds and protects our tender hearts.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2026
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For example, where local markets are stable enough, such as in Colombia, cash assistance is a highly cost-effective solution that helps communities meet food and other basic needs and strengthens local economies.—
Ciaran Donnelly,
Time,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Then the storm moves on, the sun returns, and the surface hardens again, cracked and chalky, as if the place is trying to erase the evidence that water ever touched it.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
1 Jan. 2026
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But her attitude toward them eventually hardens.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The schedule stiffens over the final four with Green Bay and Jacksonville at home, a Christmas night game at Kansas City and then Week 18 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
-
The light stiffens and grabs hold of us.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toughens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughens. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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