1
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
hardened from years of deprivation and grief, the man regarded the house fire as just another misfortune in a life filled with them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
hardened cynics regarded those TV shows as being anything but reality-based
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in froze
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strengthened
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
pioneer women who had been hardened by years of living on the plains
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in toughened
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in stiffened
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
the government hardened restrictions on travel to and from the war-torn nation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hardened
John Koetsier, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
But the war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
The war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
Seeds that are started indoors generally need to be hardened off before they’re transplanted outside in spring.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024
Allen, the first Black star for a Phillies franchise that was the NL’s last to integrate, had a perspective hardened by his minor-league experience in Little Rock, Ark.
—Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
Semi-hardwood cuttings taken in spring and summer, when new growth has hardened a bit is a faster way to propagate mountain ash.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Apple has now hardened Safari to prevent modification of those configurations files.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Public attitudes toward nuclear energy hardened after the disaster, especially as investigations showed that regulators had underestimated risks at the site.
—Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024
Verb
Interestingly, the satellites won’t be hardened against radiation.
—John Koetsier, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
But the war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
The war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
Seeds that are started indoors generally need to be hardened off before they’re transplanted outside in spring.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024
Allen, the first Black star for a Phillies franchise that was the NL’s last to integrate, had a perspective hardened by his minor-league experience in Little Rock, Ark.
—Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
Semi-hardwood cuttings taken in spring and summer, when new growth has hardened a bit is a faster way to propagate mountain ash.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Apple has now hardened Safari to prevent modification of those configurations files.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Public attitudes toward nuclear energy hardened after the disaster, especially as investigations showed that regulators had underestimated risks at the site.
—Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardened
Adjective
-
Potassium helps produce sturdy plants and increases plants’ resistance to stress but overapplication of potassium (and too much of any nutrient) can cause other necessary nutrients to become unavailable to the plant.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Mar. 2025
-
As professional travelers, pilots and flight attendants have an eye for high-quality and sturdy luggage.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Another type of hyperpigmentation that kojic acid can help with is melasma—a stubborn and hard-to-treat skin condition characterized by splotchy, brown or grayish patches.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Like this Fire sign, Drizella is unapologetically stubborn and impatience, believing she is entitled to nothing but the best.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The fumble froze the Chicago linebackers and allowed Musgrave to leak out for a big gain.—
Colton Pouncy,
The Athletic,
22 Dec. 2024
-
Others said the application process froze or produced error messages.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The first direct link between alcohol use and cancer was first established in the late 1980s, and evidence for this link has strengthened over time, according to the report.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Henry strengthened a strength, but where this offense has made its biggest strides is in the passing game.—
Tim Graham,
The Athletic,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Given that avocado trees are hardy only in USDA Zones 9 to 11, many of us grow them in containers and bring them indoors for the winter.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2025
-
This tender perennial is hardy in zones 9 and up, and treated as an annual elsewhere.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Warner was adamant that oppressors should be stopped not only using military force, but also with intellectual muscle and dialogue.—
Chris Yogerst / Made by History,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
-
House Speaker Daniel Perez, a Miami Republican who championed the law in 2022, has been adamant that mandatory financial reserves for building maintenance are essential in preventing another building from crumbling to the ground.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
Many in the department remain steadfast that Mercado should be disciplined — or at least removed from the prestigious investigative unit.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2025
-
As a family, our focus remains steadfast on celebrating Doom’s extraordinary legacy—his unparalleled artistry and his lasting impact on music and culture.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardened. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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