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
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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This approach not only empowers individuals but also strengthens team dynamics by promoting diverse perspectives and solutions.—
Rebecca Ahmed,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
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Lastly, the acquisition strengthens Capital One’s balance sheet, allowing for aggressive share repurchases in the future.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Whether schools catch up, whether employers reverse the junior hiring freeze, and whether Washington produces anything resembling a workforce policy will determine whether the current anxiety hardens into something permanent.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
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The initially soft capsule is further processed in a specialized structure called the ventral pedal gland near the muscular foot of the whelk, which cross-links the capsule proteins and hardens the structure before it is laid.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The men’s Run 900 Ultra Black Shorts feature integrated Rheon technology, a reactive polymer that remains soft at rest but stiffens under pressure.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2026
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The woman—Rose, apparently—stiffens slightly.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toughens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughens. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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