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
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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
Example Sentences
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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
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
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Similarly, Texas requires a valid photo ID for filing deeds, and strengthens notary regulations by prohibiting notaries from sealing documents if the person signing is not physically present.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
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This move strengthens our wellness design leadership and reflects our focus on expanding capabilities, not just geography.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Traditional bridge construction in Iran, Oman, and Afghanistan often involved the use of sarooj, a special hydraulic mortar (a mortar that hardens on contact with water) made of lime, clay, sand, and, in some recipes, gypsum.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
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Lightly scrub grout or tile lines before buildup hardens further.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The rings arise because the metal softens as the can compresses, then stiffens, then compresses and stiffens again, repeating the pattern until the compression is complete—akin to something called homoclinic snaking.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
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Will these Knicks stick to the process when the competition stiffens in the second round?—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toughens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughens. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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