as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
a group of toughened mountain bikers barreling up the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in strengthened
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force
weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hardened
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
hiking every morning through snow and ice toughened him considerably
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stiffened
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
attempts to toughen conditions under which waivers from military service would be permitted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of toughened
Vanessa Rancaño, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
Last year, the city toughened its national security law, and vocal political dissent has largely been silenced.
—Katie Tam and Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Centrist politicians across Europe have toughened their migration policies in recent months, spooked by the electoral success of charismatic right-wing and anti-migrant leaders.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Officials began collecting information in August, about a month after President Biden toughened policies for asylum seekers at the Mexican border.
—Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
The bipartisan bill toughened background checks for the youngest firearms buyers, barred a larger group of domestic violence offenders from having guns, and assisted states in carrying out red flag laws.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
The general rules of granting asylum will be toughened.
—Monika Scislowska, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
Harris, like her boss, has recently toughened her position on border security.
—Charlotte Alter / Pittsburgh, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024
The centre-right government toughened migration policy in June.
—Afp, Fortune Europe, 30 Sep. 2024
Verb
Since the Supreme Court empowered local governments to crack down on homeless encampments in June, at least 40 jurisdictions around California have enacted new laws or toughened existing ones, according to the National Homelessness Law Center.
—Vanessa Rancaño, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
Last year, the city toughened its national security law, and vocal political dissent has largely been silenced.
—Katie Tam and Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Centrist politicians across Europe have toughened their migration policies in recent months, spooked by the electoral success of charismatic right-wing and anti-migrant leaders.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Officials began collecting information in August, about a month after President Biden toughened policies for asylum seekers at the Mexican border.
—Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
The bipartisan bill toughened background checks for the youngest firearms buyers, barred a larger group of domestic violence offenders from having guns, and assisted states in carrying out red flag laws.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
The general rules of granting asylum will be toughened.
—Monika Scislowska, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
Harris, like her boss, has recently toughened her position on border security.
—Charlotte Alter / Pittsburgh, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024
The centre-right government toughened migration policy in June.
—Afp, Fortune Europe, 30 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughened
Adjective
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It’s got all the gaming-friendly extras; HDR support, DP 1.4, HDMI, and a metal stand that actually feels sturdy for once.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
26 May 2025
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The straps are made from a sturdy synthetic leather alternative that holds its shape more than other softer materials, but the interior of the straps and insoles are still lined with a light suede that’s gentle on the skin and comfy for full-day wear.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2025
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
-
Dubai Duty Free also strengthened its senior management team with eight senior managers appointed to key roles, including seven UAE nationals.—
Kevin Rozario,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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March 27 is an opportunity to dissolve barriers between the heart and the soul, and to soften the edges where hurt has hardened us.—
Colin Bedell,
Them,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The company doesn't say if the glass is hardened against breakage like Gorilla Glass.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Plants have larger foliage and bigger blooms than their tropical counterparts and are winter hardy.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
25 May 2025
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Above the tidal zone begins a maquis of mastic, myrtle, helichrysum, arbutus, and other fragrant, hardy plants, which in the higher, more remote parts of the island give way to groves of ilex, eucalyptus, and stone pine.—
Lee Marshall,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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That’s really tough to stop from turning into scoring opportunities for the opponent.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Johnson has been on a winning streak this year with Trump in the White House and backing him repeatedly to muscle through a series of very tough votes on the slimmest of majorities.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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After a rugged childhood without electricity or indoor plumbing, Robertson earned a football scholarship to Louisiana Tech University.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
-
Groups were scaling the 30-foot steel border fence with rope ladders, or crawling through gaps sawed into the old steel mesh fencing, hundreds of people a day in a 20-mile stretch starting at the rugged mountainside of Mt. Cristo Rey.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toughened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughened. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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