harden
to make hard or harder: to harden steel.
to make pitiless or unfeeling: to harden one's heart.
to make rigid or unyielding; stiffen: The rigors of poverty hardened his personality.
to strengthen or confirm, especially with reference to character, intentions, feelings, etc.; reinforce.
to make hardy, robust, or capable of endurance; toughen.
Military. to reinforce the structure of (a military or strategic installation) to protect it from nuclear bombardment.
to become hard or harder.
to become pitiless or unfeeling.
to become rigid or unyielding; stiffen: His personality hardened over the years.
to become confirmed or strengthened: His resistance hardened.
to become inured or toughened: The troops hardened under constant fire.
Commerce. (of a market, prices, etc.)
to cease to fluctuate; firm: When the speculators withdrew from the market, the prices hardened.
to rise higher.
Origin of harden
1Other words for harden
Opposites for harden
Other words from harden
- hard·en·a·ble, adjective
- hard·en·a·bil·i·ty, noun
- o·ver·hard·en, verb
- pre·hard·en, verb (used with object)
- re·hard·en, verb
- un·hard·en, verb (used with object)
- un·hard·en·a·ble, adjective
Other definitions for Harden (2 of 2)
Sir Arthur, 1865–1940, English biochemist: Nobel Prize 1929.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for harden (1 of 2)
/ (ˈhɑːdən) /
to make or become hard or harder; freeze, stiffen, or set
to make or become more hardy, tough, or unfeeling
to make or become stronger or firmer: they hardened defences
to make or become more resolute or set: hardened in his resolve
(intr) commerce
(of prices, a market, etc) to cease to fluctuate
(of price) to rise higher
- See also harden off, harden up
British Dictionary definitions for harden (2 of 2)
/ (ˈhɑːdən) /
a rough fabric made from hards
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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