1
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
hardened from years of deprivation and grief, the man regarded the house fire as just another misfortune in a life filled with them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
hardened cynics regarded those TV shows as being anything but reality-based
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in froze
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strengthened
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
pioneer women who had been hardened by years of living on the plains
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in toughened
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force
arm muscles that were hardened by all the years of casting and hauling his fishing nets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in stiffened
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
the government hardened restrictions on travel to and from the war-torn nation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hardened
John Koetsier, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
But the war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
The war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
Seeds that are started indoors generally need to be hardened off before they’re transplanted outside in spring.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024
Allen, the first Black star for a Phillies franchise that was the NL’s last to integrate, had a perspective hardened by his minor-league experience in Little Rock, Ark.
—Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
Semi-hardwood cuttings taken in spring and summer, when new growth has hardened a bit is a faster way to propagate mountain ash.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Apple has now hardened Safari to prevent modification of those configurations files.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Public attitudes toward nuclear energy hardened after the disaster, especially as investigations showed that regulators had underestimated risks at the site.
—Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024
Verb
Interestingly, the satellites won’t be hardened against radiation.
—John Koetsier, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
But the war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
The war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024
Seeds that are started indoors generally need to be hardened off before they’re transplanted outside in spring.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024
Allen, the first Black star for a Phillies franchise that was the NL’s last to integrate, had a perspective hardened by his minor-league experience in Little Rock, Ark.
—Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
Semi-hardwood cuttings taken in spring and summer, when new growth has hardened a bit is a faster way to propagate mountain ash.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Apple has now hardened Safari to prevent modification of those configurations files.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Public attitudes toward nuclear energy hardened after the disaster, especially as investigations showed that regulators had underestimated risks at the site.
—Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardened
Adjective
-
Rows of sturdy two- and three-story flats stand at attention on countless streets.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
The New Yorker,
14 Jan. 2025
-
During renovation work, the men’s first team have been moved into the women’s building, with the women housed in a temporary — but sturdy — portable cabin, and the Graduate Lounge has been turned into the academy and women’s teams’ canteen.—
Charlotte Harpur,
The Athletic,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The stubborn machine has won, and politicians are, for the most part, just fodder, which means that every politician who has to stand in front of a camera after a tragedy turns into another battle site in an endless culture war.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
The New Yorker,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Coaches will tell you of a character who could be grumpy or stubborn, but also of someone who needed faith shown in him.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The fumble froze the Chicago linebackers and allowed Musgrave to leak out for a big gain.—
Colton Pouncy,
The Athletic,
22 Dec. 2024
-
Others said the application process froze or produced error messages.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The first direct link between alcohol use and cancer was first established in the late 1980s, and evidence for this link has strengthened over time, according to the report.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Henry strengthened a strength, but where this offense has made its biggest strides is in the passing game.—
Tim Graham,
The Athletic,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Temperature and Humidity Mountain mint is a hardy perennial that can thrive in cold temperatures and hot, humid summers in Zones 4-8.—
Lauren David,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2025
-
These hardy perennials will thrive in outdoor pots well into zone 6. Boxwood Botanical Name: Buxus species and hybrids Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Type: Moist, well-draining Soil pH: Neutral (6.5-7.5) Boxwoods are hard-working shrubs, providing rich color and year-round structure.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
On the other hand, the group is adamant that its FPV drones are wholly homegrown.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
-
David Poole is adamant that the sales team is always upfront about the risks as well as upsides of investing.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
13 Jan. 2023
-
According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.—
Elliot Hughes,
Journal Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
Through it all, Franklin remained steadfast with the 1-0 each week approach.—
Audrey Snyder,
The Athletic,
7 Jan. 2025
-
As the counterfeit industry develops more sophisticated methods, the fight for authenticity must remain steadfast, driven by technology, vigilance, and a commitment to ethical production and consumption.—
Cassell Ferere,
Forbes,
5 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hardened
Cite this Entry
“Hardened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardened. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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