1
as in freezing
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
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2
as in strengthening
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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3
as in toughening
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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4
as in stiffening
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
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Recent Examples of hardening
Observing tips The lunar disk is entirely bereft of shadows during the full moon phase, making this the perfect time to trace the outline of lunar maria — where lava flows filled colossal impact basins billions of years ago before hardening to form sweeping basaltic plains.
—
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 May 2026
Rinse the sink basin to prevent toothpaste and soap residue from hardening.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
When conditions are right for hardening off and planting your seedlings, continue to monitor weather conditions.
—Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
And top Democrats are hardening their opposition.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardening
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 May 2026
Rinse the sink basin to prevent toothpaste and soap residue from hardening.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
When conditions are right for hardening off and planting your seedlings, continue to monitor weather conditions.
—Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
And top Democrats are hardening their opposition.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardening
Verb
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Once trapped, the ions are reduced to a ground state through lasers, similar to what freezing them at absolute zero achieves.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
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But don't stick the bottle in the garden shed where it will be subjected to freezing.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Lean on your network Rather than spending all their time on applications, job seekers should prioritize making and strengthening connections, according to Gavin.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
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Improving wall sit performance comes from consistent practice, proper form, and strengthening the quads, glutes, and core.—
Christa Sgobba,
Health,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The machine dryer agitates the clothing and prevents fibers from stiffening during drying, which is why clothing comes out feeling soft.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
23 Feb. 2026
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The Czech Republic’s new government will seek to transform the defense industry into an engine of the nation’s export economy as the flagship auto sector faces stiffening competition, Karel Havlicek, minister for industry and trade, told us.—
Suzanne Lynch,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hardening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardening. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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