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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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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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 Pan, a pediatrician, made national headlines during his time in Legislature for leading the state’s efforts to toughen school vaccine requirements. — Mathew Miranda june 23, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026 Through the efforts of the foundation, the Florida Legislature passed a law in 2025 that toughens penalties for boating crashes that end in serious injury, for providing misleading statements to law enforcement during a boat-crash investigation, and boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026 Britain has increasingly toughened its approach to tech firms, urging or forcing them to adapt their algorithms and, most recently, prevent children from circulating nude images taken on mobile phones. — Paul Sandle, USA Today, 16 June 2026 Britain has increasingly toughened its approach to tech companies in recent years, urging or forcing them to impose age verification, adapt their algorithms and, most recently, prevent children from circulating nude images taken on mobile phones. — Reuters, CNN Money, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for toughen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughen

Verb

Later on Friday, Infantino said the plan was to strengthen such bodies, not divide world soccer.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 1 Aug. 2026
Open-weight models have strengthened the buyer’s bargaining position.

— Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026