Synonyms

toughen

American

[tuhf-uhn] / ˈtʌf ən /

verb (used with or without object)

to make or become tough or tougher.

Synonyms:

stiffen, strengthen, firm, harden

toughen British

/ ˈtʌfən /

verb

to make or become tough or tougher

"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

Other Word Forms

toughener noun

Etymology

Origin of toughen

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

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.

Even as his position toughened rhetorically today, those around Sir Keir remain resistant to pressure for him to deliver the full-throated 'Love Actually moment' some in Labour desire.

From BBC

The news comes ahead of language requirements for citizenship being toughened for everyone else under new immigration rules from January 1.

From Barron's

Ministers say the DRC has not made changes required under the toughening up of the UK's asylum rules announced in November.

From BBC

"In one way it toughened me. But I would have preferred a normal childhood, with friends, with joy," he said, his room decorated with a large painting of his hometown.

From Barron's

Critics say the Act needs to be toughened to make the internet safer, particularly for women and girls.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023