indurate

1 of 2

adjective

in·​du·​rate ˈin-də-rət 

-dyə-;

in-ˈdu̇r-ət,

-ˈdyu̇r-

: physically or morally hardened

indurate

2 of 2

verb

in·​du·​rate ˈin-də-ˌrāt 

-dyə-

indurated; indurating

transitive verb

1

: to make unfeeling, stubborn, or obdurate

2

: to make hardy : inure

3

: to make hard

great heat indurates clay

4

: to establish firmly : confirm

intransitive verb

1

: to grow hard : harden

2

: to become established

Did you know?

Indurate is a hard word—in more than one way. Not only is it fairly uncommon in modern usage, but it also can be traced back to Latin durare, meaning "to harden." Durare can mean "to endure" as well, and appropriately indurate is a word that has lasted many years—it has been a part of the English language since the 14th century. Durare is also the root of other durable English words, including during, endure, duration, durance, and even durable itself. In addition, indurate can be a verb meaning "to make or grow hard," "to make unfeeling, stubborn, or obdurate," and "to establish firmly."

Synonyms

Adjective

• affectless
• callous
• case-hardened
• cold-blooded
• compassionless
• desensitized
• hard
• hard-boiled
• hard-hearted
• heartless
• inhuman
• inhumane
• insensate
• insensitive
• ironhearted
• merciless
• obdurate
• pachydermatous
• pitiless
• remorseless
• ruthless
• slash-and-burn
• soulless
• stony
• stoney
• stonyhearted
• take-no-prisoners
• thick-skinned
• uncharitable
• unfeeling
• unmerciful
• unsparing
• unsympathetic

Verb

• concrete
• congeal
• firm (up)
• freeze
• harden
• set
• solidify

Examples of indurate in a Sentence

Adjective

an indurate heart that admits no love or mercy

Verb

clay that had been indurated by long exposure to the summer sun

such a brutal upbringing could only callous his soul and indurate his heart to the suffering of others

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

His characters strive to achieve things—such as love, self-command, or financial success—but those efforts are made ironic in the face of a world that, while sometimes beautiful to look at, remains indurate to human happiness. —Scott Bradfield, The New Republic, 24 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin induratus, past participle of indurare, from in- + durare to harden, from durus hard — more at during

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1538, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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