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
Example 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
-
It’s built from a sturdy metal base with a solid wood and plywood frame and has a swivel design that rotates 360 degrees.—
Megan Schaltegger,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Linus Ullmark’s sturdy play in net is a major plus.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite growing consternation and concern expressed by economists and CEOs, Trump administration officials have been stubborn in defending its trade policies.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Ocasio-Cortez might have a good shot at cracking that stubborn nut.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 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
-
Foliage remains evergreen in locations where plants are winter hardy.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Balancing hardy explorer capabilities with a design that’s fresh and elegant, the brand new M will be a hot topic at the upcoming show.—
Katia Damborsky,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Paul has been adamant that the tariffs won’t help the U.S. His frustration with the tariffs came as seven GOP senators signed on to a bipartisan bill that sought to have Congressional oversight over the president’s tariffs.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The 12-time Emmy award-winner was also adamant about sharing her cancer journey with her audience—hoping that her experience might offer support and guidance to others facing similar challenges.—
Joanne Fowler,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
Despite growing exhaustion, Booker remained steadfast, sustaining himself with only water as his voice grew stronger with emotion.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Despite the shifting sands in the content marketplace, Mayer assured the crowd of industry insiders that Blackrock remains steadfast in its Candle investment.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardened. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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