harden

¹ American  

[hahr-dn] / ˈhɑr dn /

verb (used with object)

1. to make hard or harder.

   to harden steel.

   Synonyms:

   ossify, petrify, indurate, solidify

   Antonyms:

   soften

2. to make pitiless or unfeeling.

   to harden one's heart.

3. to make rigid or unyielding; stiffen.

   The rigors of poverty hardened his personality.

4. to strengthen or confirm, especially with reference to character, intentions, feelings, etc.; reinforce.

   Synonyms:

   nerve, brace, steel, fortify

   Antonyms:

   weaken

5. to make hardy, robust, or capable of endurance; toughen.

6. Military. to reinforce the structure of (a military or strategic installation) to protect it from nuclear bombardment.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to become hard or harder.

2. to become pitiless or unfeeling.

3. to become rigid or unyielding; stiffen.

   His personality hardened over the years.

4. to become confirmed or strengthened.

   His resistance hardened.

5. to become inured or toughened.

   The troops hardened under constant fire.

6. Commerce. (of a market, prices, etc.)

   1. to cease to fluctuate; firm.

      When the speculators withdrew from the market, the prices hardened.

   2. to rise higher.

Harden ² American  

[hahr-dn] / ˈhɑr dn /

noun

1. Sir Arthur, 1865–1940, English biochemist: Nobel Prize 1929.

---

harden ¹ British  

/ ˈhɑːdən /

verb

1. to make or become hard or harder; freeze, stiffen, or set

2. to make or become more hardy, tough, or unfeeling

3. to make or become stronger or firmer

   they hardened defences

4. to make or become more resolute or set

   hardened in his resolve

5. (intr) commerce

   1. (of prices, a market, etc) to cease to fluctuate

   2. (of price) to rise higher

---

harden ² British  

/ ˈhɑːdən /

noun

1. a rough fabric made from hards

---

Other Word Forms

• hardenability noun
• hardenable adjective
• overharden verb
• preharden verb (used with object)
• reharden verb
• unharden verb (used with object)
• unhardenable adjective

Etymology

Origin of harden

Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; hard, -en ¹

Example Sentences

Satellite imagery suggests that Iran has been hardening entrances to its nuclear sites in case of attack.

From The Wall Street Journal

If Washington is serious about a stable Syria, it must use its leverage now before sectarian fractures harden beyond repair.

From The Wall Street Journal

In recent weeks, Tehran has been working to better protect its main nuclear sites from another round of U.S. bombing, pouring soil and concrete over the sites’ entrances to harden their defenses.

From The Wall Street Journal

I tried to speak, but my tongue felt heavy inside my mouth, like it had swelled and hardened.

From Literature

The RSF set up a parallel government last year, hardening the de facto division of the country.

From BBC