as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
a group of toughened mountain bikers barreling up the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in strengthened
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force
weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hardened
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
hiking every morning through snow and ice toughened him considerably
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stiffened
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
attempts to toughen conditions under which waivers from military service would be permitted
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of toughened
Katie Tam and Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Centrist politicians across Europe have toughened their migration policies in recent months, spooked by the electoral success of charismatic right-wing and anti-migrant leaders.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Officials began collecting information in August, about a month after President Biden toughened policies for asylum seekers at the Mexican border.
—Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
The bipartisan bill toughened background checks for the youngest firearms buyers, barred a larger group of domestic violence offenders from having guns, and assisted states in carrying out red flag laws.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
The general rules of granting asylum will be toughened.
—Monika Scislowska, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
Harris, like her boss, has recently toughened her position on border security.
—Charlotte Alter / Pittsburgh, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024
Biden toughened asylum screening.
—Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024
The centre-right government toughened migration policy in June.
—Afp, Fortune Europe, 30 Sep. 2024
Verb
Last year, the city toughened its national security law, and vocal political dissent has largely been silenced.
—Katie Tam and Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Centrist politicians across Europe have toughened their migration policies in recent months, spooked by the electoral success of charismatic right-wing and anti-migrant leaders.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Officials began collecting information in August, about a month after President Biden toughened policies for asylum seekers at the Mexican border.
—Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
The bipartisan bill toughened background checks for the youngest firearms buyers, barred a larger group of domestic violence offenders from having guns, and assisted states in carrying out red flag laws.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
The general rules of granting asylum will be toughened.
—Monika Scislowska, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
Harris, like her boss, has recently toughened her position on border security.
—Charlotte Alter / Pittsburgh, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024
Biden toughened asylum screening.
—Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024
The centre-right government toughened migration policy in June.
—Afp, Fortune Europe, 30 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughened
Adjective
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Others complimented the easy assembly and sturdy structure.Madison Yauger, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
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Milenkovic has been a crucial cog in Forest’s sturdy back line and Van Dijk has been excellent for Liverpool, rising to the challenge of having more responsibility to play out from defence and build Liverpool’s attacks under Slot.Rory Smith, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Economic Benefits and Future Challenges The shale industry’s growth has provided numerous jobs, strengthened local economies in production hubs, and bolstered national energy security.Robert Rapier, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
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The actress and producer has further strengthened her collaboration with Dior on issues regarding social responsibility, especially women’s empowerment, reflecting her commitments as an activist and founder of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.Jennifer Weil, WWD, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Interestingly, the satellites won’t be hardened against radiation.John Koetsier, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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But the war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Stand-up comedian Whitney Cicero, 54, from Los Angeles took to Instagram to reveal all the quirky reasons why her generation (people born between 1965 and 1980) are some of the toughest and most hardy people out there.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
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Although all the patients ultimately recovered, the mutation represents an unsettling new development in a battle against a tiny but hardy foe.Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Carro, known for his tough stance on crime and his experience with cases involving terrorism enhancements, will play a key role in shaping the trial's proceedings.Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
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Business has been especially tough for foreign brands in China, where electric vehicle manufacturers such as BYD are leading the way as demand grows for less polluting vehicles.AFP, Fortune Asia, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The West Coast Fishing Club is loved for serving as a rugged haven on British Columbia’s remote ancestral and unceded territory of the Haida Nation in Haida Gwaii, surrounded by dramatic coastal landscapes and teeming with wildlife.Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
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The Dakota boots are armored in waterproof rubber and have a rugged outsole, so trudging through sleet and snow is no issue.Emily Weaver, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near toughened
Cite this Entry
“Toughened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughened. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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