HARDEN Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

harden

verb

ˈhär-dᵊn

Definition of harden next

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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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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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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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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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 Entergy New Orleans, the city’s main electric utility, has an accelerated grid-hardening plan that aims to replace existing utility poles with more fortified poles to withstand higher winds and selectively move some lines underground in high-risk areas. —

Sufan Jiang, Fortune, 30 May 2026 Once the seedlings have been hardened off, dig holes deep enough to plant the seedlings up to the first set of true leaves. —

Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 27 May 2026 About the only time not to prune is late summer and early fall, as this might encourage late growth that wouldn't harden off in time for winter. —

Steve Bender, Southern Living, 27 May 2026 Entergy New Orleans, the city’s main electric utility, has an accelerated grid-hardening plan that aims to replace existing utility poles with more fortified poles to withstand higher winds and selectively move some lines underground in high-risk areas. —

Fangxing Fran Li, The Conversation, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for harden

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden

Verb

Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski shouted two words — the first of which didn’t appear to be fit for print — and strode off the mound, the icy expression on his face frozen in place all the way to the dugout.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
But it's also made people even more skeptical of public figures whose appearances seem naturally frozen in time.

— Charles Trepany, USA Today, 29 May 2026