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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of toughen
Congress sets spending priorities but Trump treats them as ceilings
Besides toughening immigration enforcement, two other broad areas of legal dispute focus on cutting the size of government by firing federal workers and dismantling agencies, as well as banning diversity initiatives.
—
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 May 2025
The report’s call to action lists several possible solutions to address homelessness, including funding more affordable housing, toughening eviction prevention measures and adding shelter options.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025
Over the years, she’s been back at UConn to occasionally help fire up and toughen up the centers and forwards that came after her, like Dolson, 2010-14, Nelson-Ododa, 2018-22 and Aaliyah Edwards (2020-24), now with the Mystics, but missing this game with a back injury.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 May 2025
Then, in the third tier were China, Russia and other countries subject to U.S. arms embargoes, which would have remained subject to strict export controls previously put in place by the Biden administration, first in 2022 and then toughened in 2023.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 May 2025
The report’s call to action lists several possible solutions to address homelessness, including funding more affordable housing, toughening eviction prevention measures and adding shelter options.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025
Over the years, she’s been back at UConn to occasionally help fire up and toughen up the centers and forwards that came after her, like Dolson, 2010-14, Nelson-Ododa, 2018-22 and Aaliyah Edwards (2020-24), now with the Mystics, but missing this game with a back injury.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 May 2025
Then, in the third tier were China, Russia and other countries subject to U.S. arms embargoes, which would have remained subject to strict export controls previously put in place by the Biden administration, first in 2022 and then toughened in 2023.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for toughen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughen
Verb
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Establish security standards and procedures while participating in building and strengthening cybersecurity teams.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Police Chief Neil Noakes spent two decades in uniform, working to reduce violent crimes, support officers’ mental wellness, and strengthen trust in Fort Worth.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Remember, this isn’t about gaming the system—you’re hardening your company.—
Gabriel Labrada,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Wilders last week held a rare, formal press conference to present the government with an ultimatum for hardening the country’s asylum policy – despite the fact that the minister for asylum and migration is a member of his own party.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Verb
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The schedule stiffens considerably over the back half of the season.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
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Lucy’s Law, among other things, stiffens the penalties for seriously injuring someone in a boat crash.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughen. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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