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
Whether that will happen for Smith is to be determined, and Miami has time to see if the former South Carolina standout can toughen up and iron out the wrinkles in his game.
—
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
According to recent reports, Donald Trump is actively weighing with his national security team whether to order U.S. strikes on Iran, as the President has publicly toughened his language about the conflict in a series of posts on his platform Truth Social.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 18 June 2025
MacIntyre, the 28-year-old from Oban toughened by the Scottish game of Shinty, became the new target.
—Doug Ferguson, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
While some have deemed the bill controversial, it has been largely met with enthusiasm by LGBTQ advocacy groups for toughening penalties for hate crimes.
—Todd Plummer, AFAR Media, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
According to recent reports, Donald Trump is actively weighing with his national security team whether to order U.S. strikes on Iran, as the President has publicly toughened his language about the conflict in a series of posts on his platform Truth Social.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 18 June 2025
MacIntyre, the 28-year-old from Oban toughened by the Scottish game of Shinty, became the new target.
—Doug Ferguson, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
While some have deemed the bill controversial, it has been largely met with enthusiasm by LGBTQ advocacy groups for toughening penalties for hate crimes.
—Todd Plummer, AFAR Media, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughen
Verb
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Advertisement But bodies are living things who are entitled to change, strengthen, soften, expand, and spill out as evidence of a life lived—not a life restricted.—
Mari Andrew,
Time,
1 July 2025
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The United States partners with the Government of Nigeria to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism capabilities, working together toward the elimination of terrorist organizations and their networks of support.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Tehran's rejection shows that U.S. pressure has hardened its stance, narrowing oversight after damage to its nuclear sites and suspended inspections.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
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Many had been taught to feel shame in Native culture and language at Indian boarding schools; others had been hardened by prison stints or by the harsh realities of urban poverty.—
Nick Estes,
New Yorker,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Many Republicans would like to stiffen the work requirements by requiring work of recipients who are up to age 65 or are the parents of children who are more than six years old.—
Tracy Roof,
The Conversation,
1 Apr. 2025
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The Police Department, along with representatives from AT&T and Spectrum, are urging lawmakers to stiffen the penalties for cable theft.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/thesaurus/toughen. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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