TOUGHEN Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

toughen

verb

ˈtə-fən

Definition of toughen

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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of toughen The order directs his administration to toughen air pollution evaluations, add noise restrictions and expand city bureaucrats’ authority to review water and electricity usage at data center facilities. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026 But after Martínez-Olguín set the trial for March 2 — instead of November as Paramount had asked — the company grew antsy and toughened its legal tactics. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 Advertisement So, as now, many men followed the adage that when the going gets tough, the tough, well… toughen up. — Michael Kimmel, Time, 15 Aug. 2026 Officials have also toughened their stance on capital leaving the country. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for toughen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughen

Verb

Designed for limp, oily, and dull hair, the color-safe formula washes away stubborn dirt and grime—common culprits of flat waves—while a lineup of amino acids work to soften and strengthen strands.

— Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
If superconductivity in magic-angle graphene were primarily driven by phonons, or vibrations of the atomic lattice, weakening Coulomb interactions would be expected to leave the effect largely unchanged or even strengthen it slightly.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of strengthen

Verb

This is to help chocolate layer not stick to sides when later hardened.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Gray’s challenge in such circumstances is to ensure that Blackstone’s pro-AI convictions don’t harden into a consensus his firm will regret if conditions change.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of harden

Verb

Bile rose in Evie’s throat and her body stiffened under his touch.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Offering a 35% incentive aimed at stiffening up jobs here and enticing post-production to relocate to the Golden State, AB 2319 is racing toward a vote in the state Senate by next week once the bill is in final shape.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026