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
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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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Recent Examples of toughens
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
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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That extra mental effort strengthens the connection between your brain and muscles, helping improve balance and reaction time.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
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Officials at the National Satellite Ocean Application Service (NSOAS) said the satellite strengthens China’s role in the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, with plans to share data for international research collaborations.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Another team hardens those that show promise, building in compliance and integration from the beginning.—
Adam Mills,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
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When a partner continually feels trapped behind excuses or counterattacks, the original frustration then hardens into resentment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the schedule stiffens up next week with the start of 4A South Metro League play as Heritage, Ponderosa and Dakota Ridge all loom in October.—
Matt Schubert,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
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In a similar way, a man who is defiant stiffens his neck, squares his shoulders, lowers his brows, and clenches his fists with his knuckles forward.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toughens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughens. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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