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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of harden
However, safety and protection do not need to be obtained through hardening your outer shell and isolation.
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Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Dec. 2024
Do this quickly because the toffee will start to harden.
5.
—Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 3 Nov. 2024
The sclerosing agent causes the sac to harden and shrink, preventing the reaccumulation of fluid in the space.16
Varicoceles can often be managed with lifestyle changes, like wearing an athletic supporter (jockstrap) and losing weight.
—Josephine Hessert, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024
Updated bilateral trade pacts focused on sectors that China dominates—such as critical minerals and pharmaceutical supply chains—would also wean Washington and its partners off the Chinese market and harden them against Beijing’s coercion.
—Kyle Balzer, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for harden 
Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Dec. 2024
Do this quickly because the toffee will start to harden.
5.
—Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 3 Nov. 2024
The sclerosing agent causes the sac to harden and shrink, preventing the reaccumulation of fluid in the space.16
Varicoceles can often be managed with lifestyle changes, like wearing an athletic supporter (jockstrap) and losing weight.
—Josephine Hessert, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024
Updated bilateral trade pacts focused on sectors that China dominates—such as critical minerals and pharmaceutical supply chains—would also wean Washington and its partners off the Chinese market and harden them against Beijing’s coercion.
—Kyle Balzer, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for harden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden
Verb
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While freezing temperatures will be experienced in parts of northern Florida on Friday and Saturday, this week's cold snap was not expected to result in snowfall anywhere in the state.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
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In February 2021, a winter storm brought days of freezing temperatures that knocked out power and heat to millions of Texans and led to nearly 250 deaths.Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
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According to Yi Shan Lee, MD, a clinical assistant professor in the department of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, research suggests moderate to vigorous physical activity may increase the brain's ability to create new cells and rewire itself, helping to strengthen memory.Lauryn Higgins, Health, 17 Dec. 2024
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Curiosity is the key to happiness in retirement, and core pursuits are effective vehicles for discovery, but they must be cultivated, strengthened, and expanded over time.Wes Moss, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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After this revelation, competition began to stiffen, and in 2012 the Ecke family sold its company to a Dutch agricultural operation, citing global competition and consolidation.Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 29 Nov. 2024
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That’s because, in addition to stiffening smartphone competition, President-elect Donald Trump’s threats of China tariffs could weigh on device sales even more.Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harden. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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