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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of toughen The military service Cyrus pushes Adam into is meant to toughen him up. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 The findings come as state officials are proposing to overhaul decades-old pesticide regulations to toughen enforcement and standardize penalties. — Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 The remaining states — including the swing states of Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina — have measures for this fall's general election that would toughen ID requirements for voters. — Benjamin Swasey, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 Greece’s conservative government has been toughening its migration policies. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for toughen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughen

Verb

The goal is to strengthen leadership skills and explore key topics, including entrepreneurship, innovation, change management, communication and self-promotion.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Low pressure strengthening off the Carolina coast will gradually move northward, while high pressure remains anchored to our north.

— Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of strengthen

Verb

The building materials are fire-resistant, as are the windows, and the eaves are fire-hardened as well.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
The process, called cured-in-place pipe lining, involves inserting a flexible liner into the old pipe, inflating it and hardening it in place.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026