HARDEN Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

harden

verb

ˈhär-dᵊn

Definition of harden

as in to freeze

to become physically firm or solid the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to strengthen

to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure pioneer women who had been hardened by years of living on the plains

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to toughen

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to stiffen

to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe the government hardened restrictions on travel to and from the war-torn nation

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of harden The result, DiStefano said, is homeowners who spend tens of thousands of dollars hardening their houses and still get non-renewed. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026 But unlike Hamas and Hezbollah, the group has rebounded and emerged better armed, battle-hardened and confident. — Dov Lieber, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 The Houthis are entrenched, battle-hardened and know the mountainous terrain. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 The Élysée has recently called to harden France’s digital infrastructure amid rising security breaches. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harden

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden

Verb

Two Utah residents who hiked Mount Shasta in Northern California were rescued after they became stranded during a perilous 36-hour journey through freezing conditions.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
In winter, some wetlands become more accessible as thick, spongelike layers of organic-rich peat freeze solid and become strong enough to support snow machines on their icy surfaces.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of freeze

Verb

Since 2021 the company has also been intent on strengthening its distribution channels and showrooms across Asia, Europe and North America.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
The work is intended to help transfer specialized nuclear-submarine design knowledge, improve technical coordination and strengthen the industrial capabilities required to build and sustain advanced submarines over their operational lifetimes.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of strengthen

Verb

But one of the positives Glenn highlighted was the defense stiffening in the red zone against Chicago, which went 2 of 7 inside the New York 20-yard line.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Avoiding harsh chemicals like bleach, fabric softeners, and the like will help keep your robe soft and absorbent as these formulas could break down the fabric, leave behind fabric-stiffening residue, or cause pilling and other concerns.

— Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of stiffen

Browse Nearby Words

hard-edged

harden

hardened

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harden. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of harden

verb

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