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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of toughen
Aly Song | Reuters BEIJING — China has toughened its tone following the Trump administration’s opening salvo of trade tariffs.
—
Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2025
That’ll be particularly important for the Gophers as the schedule toughens up in the next week in a half.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 23 Jan. 2025
Communities must toughen water systems by modernizing infrastructure, diversifying water supplies and strengthening fire-fighting.
—Peter H. Gleick, Scientific American, 24 Jan. 2025
However, Proposition 36, which toughens penalties for drug crimes and shoplifting, is expected to increase the prison population by 1,600 people during the next fiscal year.
—Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2025
That’ll be particularly important for the Gophers as the schedule toughens up in the next week in a half.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 23 Jan. 2025
Communities must toughen water systems by modernizing infrastructure, diversifying water supplies and strengthening fire-fighting.
—Peter H. Gleick, Scientific American, 24 Jan. 2025
However, Proposition 36, which toughens penalties for drug crimes and shoplifting, is expected to increase the prison population by 1,600 people during the next fiscal year.
—Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughen
Verb
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The company is strengthening its structure with a growing team in Austria and Germany to support its growing production slate while remaining compact and dynamic to meet the needs of each project, according to Schubert.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
21 Feb. 2025
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Your healthcare team may recommend medications to strengthen the bones.—
Carrie Madormo, RN,
Health,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Teen Shauna is hardened by the brutal losses of winter, and adult Taissa responds differently to reminders of the wilderness with Van by her side.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
14 Feb. 2025
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My eyes were hardening around the edges, just like my heart.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But Miami’s defense stiffened considerably late in the game and in both overtimes.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2025
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Suddenly, Arlo’s eyes rolled back and his body stiffened.—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
29 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughen. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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