1
as in to strengthen
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force
weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to harden
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
hiking every morning through snow and ice toughened him considerably
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3
as in to stiffen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
attempts to toughen conditions under which waivers from military service would be permitted
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Recent Examples of toughen
States led by both parties -- and their voters in referendums -- have already been toughening crime laws.
—
Larry Kaplow, NPR, 25 Feb. 2025
This isn’t some fashion formula that’s difficult to decode; these beautiful dresses are easily toughened up with slouchy leather boots to create a cool juxtaposition for day and look just as swell with open toe mules for springtime evenings.
—Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 24 Feb. 2025
On Monday night in the Oval Office, Trump signed some executive orders toughening immigration policies and enforcement.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
The alleged attack comes amid President Trump’s deluge of orders and policy changes intended to toughen immigration laws and facilitate deportations.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Larry Kaplow, NPR, 25 Feb. 2025
This isn’t some fashion formula that’s difficult to decode; these beautiful dresses are easily toughened up with slouchy leather boots to create a cool juxtaposition for day and look just as swell with open toe mules for springtime evenings.
—Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 24 Feb. 2025
On Monday night in the Oval Office, Trump signed some executive orders toughening immigration policies and enforcement.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
The alleged attack comes amid President Trump’s deluge of orders and policy changes intended to toughen immigration laws and facilitate deportations.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughen
Verb
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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
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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
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And then, as if he’s already relived the moment in question and arrived at the same, grim decision, Joel’s expression hardens.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Apr. 2025
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Farmers say their forebears initially enjoyed super yields, but the soil has hardened over time, and yields have plummeted, leading to more chemical use.—
Brooke Roberts-Islam,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughen. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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