harden
verb (used with object)
to make hard or harder.
had hardened
-
past perfectof harden.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
All this time, he had hardened his heart against his parents, believing they had abandoned him and Asa.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026
Fresh water was extremely scarce, so none of the group could wash their clothes a single time during their six-month stay—the cotton trousers they wore had hardened into leg armor by the time they left.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026
By about 6pm, tension had hardened both inside the factory and on the street.
From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2026
His soft face had hardened into a scowl.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 2024
She soon found that attitudes at Booker T. Washington had hardened against her.
From "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" by Phillip Hoose
