1
as in to freeze
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
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2
as in to strengthen
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
pioneer women who had been hardened by years of living on the plains
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3
as in to toughen
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force
arm muscles that were hardened by all the years of casting and hauling his fishing nets
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4
as in to stiffen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
the government hardened restrictions on travel to and from the war-torn nation
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Recent Examples of harden
Once plants are hardened off, they can be transplanted into the garden.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
Teen Shauna is hardened by the brutal losses of winter, and adult Taissa responds differently to reminders of the wilderness with Van by her side.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
After, harden off the plants before putting them in the ground.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 4 May 2026
Then, harden off and transplant the seedlings outside after daytime temperatures are consistently between 60 and 70°F, the warmer the better, and there is no longer any danger of frost.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for harden
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 May 2026
Teen Shauna is hardened by the brutal losses of winter, and adult Taissa responds differently to reminders of the wilderness with Van by her side.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
After, harden off the plants before putting them in the ground.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 4 May 2026
Then, harden off and transplant the seedlings outside after daytime temperatures are consistently between 60 and 70°F, the warmer the better, and there is no longer any danger of frost.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for harden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden
Verb
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The spike in fatal crashes during the first three months of 2026 follows an increase in crashes and fatalities attributed to Colorado’s relatively dry, clear road conditions and temperatures above freezing in November and December, which led to motorcyclists extending their riding.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
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Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani promised to address housing affordability in the city and work to freeze the rent.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Nexstar contends the deal would strengthen TV station economics, allowing stations to bolster their news gathering and expand the number of newscasts.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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The medication can help strengthen the floor-of-mouth muscles, keeping the dog’s airway more open.—
Taneia Surles,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The rings arise because the metal softens as the can compresses, then stiffens, then compresses and stiffens again, repeating the pattern until the compression is complete—akin to something called homoclinic snaking.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
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Will these Knicks stick to the process when the competition stiffens in the second round?—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harden. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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