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
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.
The Oversight Committee’s September hearing will feature Bowser, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, and Attorney General Brian Schwalb, followed by a markup on legislation to toughen juvenile crime enforcement and roll back policing limits enacted by the Council. Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2025 But manager Mikel Arteta has gone to great lengths to try and toughen Arsenal’s resolve and in the past few years the effects have become evident. Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025 Between tears and anger, mothers and fathers of children who died at Camp Mystic in central Texas in a flood on July 4 pleaded with state lawmakers Wednesday to toughen safety at summer camps. Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2025 The shift in public opinion comes as leading health groups toughen their advice. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Aug. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toughen. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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

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