hardening

noun

hard·​en·​ing ˈhärd-niŋ How to pronounce hardening (audio)
ˈhär-dᵊn-iŋ
: sclerosis sense 1
hardening of the arteries

Examples of hardening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But with the Trump administration’s hardening attitude toward immigrants, local lawyers said asylum-seekers are struggling with a more hostile bureaucracy and a chaotic environment. Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2025 Network segmentation, segmentation of management interfaces in network appliances and BMC management interfaces in servers are all critical for internal hardening to impede attacker progress and prevent widespread damage. Yuriy Bulygin, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Homeowners can apply for matching grants — up $1,500 for home hardening and $1,000 for brush clearing. Calmatters, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025 Germany has given Ukraine the green light to strike targets inside Russia using long-range weapons supplied by Berlin, in a decision that signals a notable hardening of Western resolve as the war grinds on. Callum Sutherland, Time, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for hardening

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hardening was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hardening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardening. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

hardening

noun
hard·​en·​ing
: sclerosis
hardening of the arteries

Medical Definition

hardening

noun
hard·​en·​ing ˈhärd-niŋ, -ᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce hardening (audio)
: sclerosis sense 1
hardening of the arteries

More from Merriam-Webster on hardening

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