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
Examples 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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The insulation will keep you warm in below-zero temperatures, while the sturdy rubber soles will prevent you from slipping and sliding on icy terrain.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Jan. 2025
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Loftin Hall itself, the former student dining hall where the museum is housed, is noteworthy on its own, with beautiful Mexican tiles and sturdy wooden beams.—
Pam LeBlanc,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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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Interestingly, the satellites won’t be hardened against radiation.—
John Koetsier,
Forbes,
18 Dec. 2024
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But the war has hardened Putin’s resolve and narrowed his options.—
Andrea Kendall-Taylor,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Temperature and Humidity Mountain mint is a hardy perennial that can thrive in cold temperatures and hot, humid summers in Zones 4-8.—
Lauren David,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2025
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These hardy perennials will thrive in outdoor pots well into zone 6. Boxwood Botanical Name: Buxus species and hybrids Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Type: Moist, well-draining Soil pH: Neutral (6.5-7.5) Boxwoods are hard-working shrubs, providing rich color and year-round structure.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Though not nearly as consequential as Dallas losing Dončić, Minnesota took a tough blow Monday — Donte DiVincenzo will be out indefinitely due to a toe injury.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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Last year was a tough one for job seekers, who on average were unemployed for 23.3 weeks in December, up from 19.4 in December 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.—
Maria Gracia Santillana Linares,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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These include the rugged Prombron Black Stallion CLV, which will be built on a General Motors platform, and the high-performance Prombron Iron Stallion, which is based on the Lamborghini Urus.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
15 Jan. 2025
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Travelers can use nearby Joshua Tree as their home base while hiking Chuckwalla’s Painted Canyon trail in Mecca Hills or while exploring the rugged Orocopia Mountains.—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near toughened
Cite this Entry
“Toughened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughened. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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