1
as in to strengthen
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force
weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours
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2
as in to harden
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
hiking every morning through snow and ice toughened him considerably
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3
as in to stiffen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
attempts to toughen conditions under which waivers from military service would be permitted
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Recent Examples of toughen
Now, former President Donald Trump has vowed to invoke the same law as part of his efforts to toughen border controls.
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Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024
Earlier in October 2024, the lower house of the German parliament approved measures to toughen restrictions on asylum seekers, withdraw certain protections and increase police powers.
—Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Harris' team has rolled out plans to boost the economy and toughen immigration policies — areas that polls suggest are her weak spots against Trump.
—Alex Thompson, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024
The problem is that toughening up California’s low carbon fuel standard will make gasoline more expensive.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for toughen 
Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024
Earlier in October 2024, the lower house of the German parliament approved measures to toughen restrictions on asylum seekers, withdraw certain protections and increase police powers.
—Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Harris' team has rolled out plans to boost the economy and toughen immigration policies — areas that polls suggest are her weak spots against Trump.
—Alex Thompson, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024
The problem is that toughening up California’s low carbon fuel standard will make gasoline more expensive.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for toughen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughen
Verb
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The small community strengthens its young people through a close connection with Country.Zac Ntim, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
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Curiosity is the key to happiness in retirement, and core pursuits are effective vehicles for discovery, but they must be cultivated, strengthened, and expanded over time.Wes Moss, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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If necessary, place a resealable bag filled with ice over the stain to harden the sap first.Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
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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
Verb
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After this revelation, competition began to stiffen, and in 2012 the Ecke family sold its company to a Dutch agricultural operation, citing global competition and consolidation.Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 29 Nov. 2024
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That’s because, in addition to stiffening smartphone competition, President-elect Donald Trump’s threats of China tariffs could weigh on device sales even more.Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near toughen
Cite this Entry
“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughen. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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