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.

He added that his party had toughened up sentencing powers so criminals spent longer in prison.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2023

Louisiana announced in mid-June that it had toughened its coronavirus testing requirements for nursing homes, after some facilities didn’t follow earlier voluntary testing standards recommended by the state.

From Washington Times • Aug. 9, 2020

But Immigration Minister Mark Harper said the government had "toughened the rules to ensure that genuine students are not taken advantage of by organisations looking to sell immigration not education".

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2012

When Unit turned up again in the Tenth Doctor story The Poison Sky, the organisation had toughened up and skewed its moral compass.

From The Guardian • Feb. 23, 2011

When Tendai first came to Dead Man’s Vlei, he wouldn’t have had the strength to pull himself up, but hard labor had toughened him.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer