toughen

verb

tough·​en ˈtə-fən How to pronounce toughen (audio)
toughened; toughening ˈtə-fə-niŋ How to pronounce toughen (audio)
ˈtəf-niŋ

intransitive verb

: to become tough

Examples of toughen in a Sentence

The government is toughening antidrug laws. weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The problem is that toughening up California’s low carbon fuel standard will make gasoline more expensive. Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024 Harris, like her boss, has recently toughened her position on border security. Charlotte Alter / Pittsburgh, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024 Matt Mahan San Jose mayor, who broke with fellow Democrat Gavin Newsom to support Prop 36, a ballot measure to toughen retail theft and fentanyl penalties, is vindicated as a new poll shows 71% of voters support it. Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2024 Quick Read Deep Read ( 3 Min. ) Country by country, Europe is toughening its treatment of foreign migrants. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for toughen 

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of toughen was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near toughen

Cite this Entry

“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toughen. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

toughen

verb
tough·​en ˈtəf-ən How to pronounce toughen (audio)
toughened; toughening ˈtəf-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce toughen (audio)
: to make or become tough

More from Merriam-Webster on toughen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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