1
as in to freeze
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to strengthen
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
pioneer women who had been hardened by years of living on the plains
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to toughen
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force
arm muscles that were hardened by all the years of casting and hauling his fishing nets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to stiffen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
the government hardened restrictions on travel to and from the war-torn nation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of harden
Friedrich Merz, the leader of the conservative bloc that won this month's election, also hardened his position on immigration, tilting toward the AfD platform and stirring fear among Germany's left of a coming coalition between the far- and moderate-right.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Already, Russia appears to be hardening its stance: Moscow has ruled out any peacekeepers from NATO-member countries in monitoring any peace settlement.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 24 Feb. 2025
More frequent and severe disasters are forcing local governments to spend more on infrastructure — like sea walls, storm pumps, and hardening critical facilities — services that are funded largely through property taxes.
—Christopher Flavelle, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
But that strife has hardened her, and the woman holding the gun this time is more stoic about her kill.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Already, Russia appears to be hardening its stance: Moscow has ruled out any peacekeepers from NATO-member countries in monitoring any peace settlement.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 24 Feb. 2025
More frequent and severe disasters are forcing local governments to spend more on infrastructure — like sea walls, storm pumps, and hardening critical facilities — services that are funded largely through property taxes.
—Christopher Flavelle, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
But that strife has hardened her, and the woman holding the gun this time is more stoic about her kill.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden
Verb
-
The recent frenzy in the Trump Administration to dismantle the federal government has resulted in some VAWA funds being frozen.—
Sarah Lustbader,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
-
By strategically freezing non-essential backfills, organizations can achieve substantial cost savings while reducing workforce size without triggering the cultural fallout that layoffs so often bring.—
Sherzod Odilov,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The two officials also agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation between their countries, according to SANA.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
-
For this year, his first priority is a given — to make good content — and his second is to strengthen CJ ENM’s digital platforms, which includes TVING, music content platform MNET Plus and mobile live commerce platform (which runs under the brand, CJ OnStyle).—
Sara Merican,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
After a second quarter defensive letdown, the Heat stiffened against a team that leads the league in points per 100 possessions, at 122.4.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Exercise Too much sitting can cause muscles to stiffen, and moving around more can help ease aches and pains.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harden. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share