Synonyms of toughens

toughens

verb

present tense third-person singular of toughen

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

• strengthens
• hardens
• fortifies
• beefs (up)
• tempers
• anneals
• invigorates
• energizes
• firms (up)
• vitalizes
• tones (up)
• restrengthens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakens
• hurts
• impairs
• paralyzes
• cripples
• injures
• damages
• harms
• debilitates
• undermines
• enfeebles
• enervates
• breaks down
• incapacitates
• undercuts
• wears out
• saps

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

• strengthens
• hardens
• fortifies
• inures
• adjusts
• steels
• adapts
• bolsters
• seasons
• reinforces
• invigorates
• enforces
• indurates
• acclimates
• tempers
• vitalizes
• immunizes
• anneals
• braces
• acclimatizes
• boosts
• accustoms
• conditions
• buttresses
• supports
• breaks in
• naturalizes
• forearms
• habituates
• props (up)
• trains
• limbers (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softens
• weakens
• saps
• exhausts
• cripples
• incapacitates
• sensitizes
• emasculates
• enfeebles
• enervates
• debilitates
• hamstrings

3

as in stiffens

to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe

attempts to toughen conditions under which waivers from military service would be permitted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strengthens
• stiffens
• hardens
• harshens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eases
• lessens
• softens
• moderates
• ameliorates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of toughens

Through the efforts of the foundation, the Florida Legislature passed a law in 2025 that toughens penalties for boating crashes that end in serious injury, for providing misleading statements to law enforcement during a boat-crash investigation, and boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026

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