1
as in to freeze
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of harden
The risk of military conflict continues to rise as both sides harden their positions.
—
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Under the program, residents can get financial help for four types of projects: structure elevation, reconstruction, hardening against wind damage, or having a local government acquire and demolish the property.
—Michaela Mulligan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2025
But over the past decade, Kid Rock’s politics have hardened to resemble that specific strain of Donald Trump followers who trade in hateful speech, seething anger and unflinching support of the current president.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 23 Mar. 2025
That statistic should serve as a wake-up call for any organization still focused on hardening its networks while neglecting the individuals who interact with them.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Under the program, residents can get financial help for four types of projects: structure elevation, reconstruction, hardening against wind damage, or having a local government acquire and demolish the property.
—Michaela Mulligan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2025
But over the past decade, Kid Rock’s politics have hardened to resemble that specific strain of Donald Trump followers who trade in hateful speech, seething anger and unflinching support of the current president.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 23 Mar. 2025
That statistic should serve as a wake-up call for any organization still focused on hardening its networks while neglecting the individuals who interact with them.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden
Verb
-
On March 25, the Wall Street Journal reported that HHS was considering freezing $27.5 million out of the more than $200 million allocated for Title X’s annual budget.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Temperatures can rise to the 80s, then quickly plummet to freezing when an unexpected cold snap arrives.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
To strengthen cultural ties between France and the U.S. by promoting the work of a young contemporary composer, Pisar initiated the Pisar Prize, a collaboration between Juilliard and Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
With over 200 articles about everyday life in America, his goal is to bring the American experience closer to Vietnamese readers and contribute to strengthening ties between the two countries, especially as the world marks 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Inflation, perhaps stiffened by tariffs, and uncertainty over the future of the labor market have left consumers feeling uneasy.—
DeArbea Walker,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
After a second quarter defensive letdown, the Heat stiffened against a team that leads the league in points per 100 possessions, at 122.4.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harden. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share