toughen

[ tuhf-uhn ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become tough or tougher.

   Synonyms: stiffen, strengthen, firm, harden

toughen

/ ˈtʌfən /

verb

1. to make or become tough or tougher

Other Words From

• toughen·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of toughen¹

First recorded in 1575–85; tough + -en ¹

Example Sentences

Democrats and Republicans did not manage to advance some of their most ambitious proposals, including efforts to toughen antitrust laws and hold social-media sites more directly accountable for their content-moderation practices.

From Washington Post

That experience and others like it convinced him of the need for a statute that explicitly outlaws domestic terrorism and toughens the government’s ability to prosecute it.

From ProPublica

Still, county officials agreed with the neighbors’ concerns and decided to toughen the county policy for new large cemeteries to account for water-quality hazards.

From Washington Post

When the NFL toughened its protocols recently, teams were told that all meetings should be conducted remotely and any in-person meetings should be outdoors.

From Washington Post

The Ravens’ issues came as the NFL further toughened its coronavirus protocols.

From Washington Post

Philip has never been given to displays of emotion, and saw his role as a father to ‘toughen up’ his sons.

From The Daily Beast

Others have disagreed, claiming that the Super PAC onslaught will simply toughen him up for the even bloodier battle ahead.

From The Daily Beast

The African-American community wants Obama to toughen up and fight back.

From The Daily Beast

Valdes-Rodriguez is dating a New Mexico cowpoke who is attempting to toughen up her son.

From The Daily Beast

Perhaps they are planning to toughen up the bill, not in the shadows of committee but in the sunshine of open debate.

From The Daily Beast

I must be generous, and I know your conscience will be tender a long time, if something is not done to toughen it.

From Project Gutenberg

I'm not at all sure that humanity oughtn't to be hackled like weeds, and so toughen its hold on life.

From Project Gutenberg

We'll change your metabolism, your endocrine balance, toughen your muscle fibers a thousandfold.

From Project Gutenberg

I am that garden variety, and it took the exercising of many heart interests to toughen my cardiac organ.

From Project Gutenberg

To ensure the latter, anything that would toughen the gluten must be avoided.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• strengthen