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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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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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughens
Verb
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As Harvard Business Review notes, leaders who regularly reflect on their experiences gain self-awareness, which strengthens decision-making and leadership effectiveness.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024 -
Chelsea’s more identifiable structure strengthens them in possession and in defensive transition, which was Mauricio Pochettino’s big weakness as Maresca’s 2023-24 predecessor.—
Liam Twomey,
The Athletic,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Uniting Prevention and Detection Traditional cybersecurity strategies often treat prevention and detection as separate undertakings—one team hardens systems to repel threats, while another prepares to identify and respond to breaches that slip through the cracks.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
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Another approach involves injecting the material directly into the deficit, in the form of a gel that subsequently hardens into a solid.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
3 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Toughens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughens. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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