hardened

American  

[hahr-dnd] / ˈhɑr dnd /

adjective

1. made or become hard or harder.

2. pitiless; unfeeling.

3. firmly established or unlikely to change; inveterate.

   a hardened criminal.

4. inured; toughened.

   a hardened trooper.

5. rigid; unyielding.

   a hardened attitude.

6. (of a missile base) equipped to launch missiles from underground silos.

7. (of a missile) capable of being launched from an underground silo.

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hardened British  

/ ˈhɑːdənd /

adjective

1. rigidly set, as in a mode of behaviour

2. toughened, as by custom; seasoned

3. (of a nuclear missile site) constructed to withstand a nuclear attack

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Other Word Forms

• semihardened adjective
• unhardened adjective
• well-hardened adjective

Etymology

Origin of hardened

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; harden, -ed ²

Example Sentences

"I found myself growing absorbed in the craft itself, especially the hamon" -- distinctive, milky-white patterns along the hardened edge of a katana.

From Barron's

"Ammunition of this nature is intended to defeat structures, vehicles and hardened targets, including lightly armoured personnel carriers," the representative said.

From BBC

He said his belief in the need for a No 10 refresh had "hardened" in recent weeks.

From BBC

Drawing on recently declassified information, DiNanno hardened those allegations and offered some new details.

From The Wall Street Journal

Farage said he had chosen Thomas because he was "battle hardened".

From BBC

Related Words

• seasoned