toughen

[tuhf-uhn]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become tough or tougher.

   Synonyms: stiffen, strengthen, firm, harden

toughen

/ ˈtʌfən /

verb

1. to make or become tough or tougher

Other Word Forms

• toughener noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of toughen¹

First recorded in 1575–85; tough + -en ¹

Example Sentences

While politicians talk of toughening action, navy and coastguard officers point out that a country's power to act fades the further you go out to sea.

Read more on BBC

Germany, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and Italy have all toughened immigration enforcement in recent years in an attempt to stop a surge in asylum seekers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The milestone migration pact signed by the EU last year toughens border procedures and envisages accelerated deportations.

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It marks a difficult start for the conservative politician who ran on bold pledges of reviving the stagnant economy, overhauling the threadbare military and toughening immigration policy after years of drift under the previous government.

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Legal scholars, however, say the recent criticism of provisional sentences ignores more than a decade of legislation and jurisprudence aimed at toughening up a legal system that can take years to reach a final verdict.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• strengthen