toughen

verb

tough·​en ˈtə-fən How to pronounce toughen (audio)
toughened; toughening ˈtə-fə-niŋ How to pronounce toughen (audio)
ˈtəf-niŋ

intransitive verb

: to become tough

Examples of toughen in a Sentence

The government is toughening antidrug laws. weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But for our future leaders in work, family and life in general, college is a time to toughen up. Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 14 Nov. 2024 Advertisement Politics How will Kamala Harris vote on California’s Prop. 36 to toughen some criminal penalties? James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2024 When the Premier League voted to toughen up the regulations in February, six clubs voted against the move and two abstained, meaning the vote could be passed via the narrowest of margins with a two-third majority secured by 12 votes in favour. Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024 Voters overwhelmingly approved a proposition to toughen penalties for some drug possession and shoplifting offenses — a political defeat for Newsom, who strongly opposed it. Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for toughen 

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of toughen was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near toughen

Cite this Entry

“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toughen. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

toughen

verb
tough·​en ˈtəf-ən How to pronounce toughen (audio)
toughened; toughening ˈtəf-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce toughen (audio)
: to make or become tough

More from Merriam-Webster on toughen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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