1
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
hardened from years of deprivation and grief, the man regarded the house fire as just another misfortune in a life filled with them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
hardened cynics regarded those TV shows as being anything but reality-based
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in froze
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strengthened
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 toughened
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 stiffened
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
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Recent Examples of hardened
John Koetsier, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
But the war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
The war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
Seeds that are started indoors generally need to be hardened off before they’re transplanted outside in spring.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024
Allen, the first Black star for a Phillies franchise that was the NL’s last to integrate, had a perspective hardened by his minor-league experience in Little Rock, Ark.
—Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
Semi-hardwood cuttings taken in spring and summer, when new growth has hardened a bit is a faster way to propagate mountain ash.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Apple has now hardened Safari to prevent modification of those configurations files.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Public attitudes toward nuclear energy hardened after the disaster, especially as investigations showed that regulators had underestimated risks at the site.
—Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024
Verb
Interestingly, the satellites won’t be hardened against radiation.
—John Koetsier, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
But the war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
The war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
Seeds that are started indoors generally need to be hardened off before they’re transplanted outside in spring.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024
Allen, the first Black star for a Phillies franchise that was the NL’s last to integrate, had a perspective hardened by his minor-league experience in Little Rock, Ark.
—Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
Semi-hardwood cuttings taken in spring and summer, when new growth has hardened a bit is a faster way to propagate mountain ash.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Apple has now hardened Safari to prevent modification of those configurations files.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Public attitudes toward nuclear energy hardened after the disaster, especially as investigations showed that regulators had underestimated risks at the site.
—Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardened
Adjective
-
The Blue Jackets signed another college free agent on Wednesday, adding stout and sturdy defenseman Caleb MacDonald from the University of North Dakota on a two-year entry-level contract that begins next season.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
-
These insights shaped every detail of the grill—from the cook engine to the closed cabinet that discreetly hides the gas tank to the sturdy stainless-steel handle, a signature of Weber quality.—
Tim Clark,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Happy Birthday for Saturday, March 29, 2025: You are opinionated and stubborn.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Described by family as larger-than-life in personality and stature, the 6-foot-5-inch Wesley is remembered as a jovial, fiercely stubborn man with a quick wit and passion for advocacy.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The fumble froze the Chicago linebackers and allowed Musgrave to leak out for a big gain.—
Colton Pouncy,
The Athletic,
22 Dec. 2024
-
Others said the application process froze or produced error messages.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The first direct link between alcohol use and cancer was first established in the late 1980s, and evidence for this link has strengthened over time, according to the report.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Henry strengthened a strength, but where this offense has made its biggest strides is in the passing game.—
Tim Graham,
The Athletic,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
This plant needs consistently moist soil and is reliably hardy in Zones 8-10.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2025
-
These deciduous trees are hardy in Zones 5 to 9 and grow best in full sun.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Nobody’s shooting on this season’s Longhorns would be mistaken for Stephen Curry’s, but Schaefer is adamant that this group stands out among his 20-year head-coaching career.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Still, Jenkins was adamant about not moving to the city.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.—
Elliot Hughes,
Journal Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2023
-
This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
Seven years later, Trump remains steadfast in his support of the act, giving advocates on both sides of the aisle a sense of cautious optimism about the possibility of more reform.—
Taylor Millard,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Mar. 2025
-
In many ways, however, the tradition and Peterson’s dedication to it remain steadfast.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardened. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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