1
as in to freeze
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
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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
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of harden
When conditions are right for hardening off and planting your seedlings, continue to monitor weather conditions.
—
Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
This will allow the shavings to harden and prevent them from dissolving too quickly.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
In fire-prone areas, Cal Fire and local fire departments already enforce defensible space rules, and building codes require home hardening like covering vents with mesh to prevent embers from entering the house.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
No one outside getting back in and the perimeter has been hardened around the venue.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for harden
Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
This will allow the shavings to harden and prevent them from dissolving too quickly.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026
In fire-prone areas, Cal Fire and local fire departments already enforce defensible space rules, and building codes require home hardening like covering vents with mesh to prevent embers from entering the house.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
No one outside getting back in and the perimeter has been hardened around the venue.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for harden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harden
Verb
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The spike in fatal crashes during the first three months of 2026 follows an increase in crashes and fatalities attributed to Colorado’s relatively dry, clear road conditions and temperatures above freezing in November and December, which led to motorcyclists extending their riding.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
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Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani promised to address housing affordability in the city and work to freeze the rent.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Nexstar contends the deal would strengthen TV station economics, allowing stations to bolster their news gathering and expand the number of newscasts.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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The medication can help strengthen the floor-of-mouth muscles, keeping the dog’s airway more open.—
Taneia Surles,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Your Cardiovascular Health Can Improve Quickly Arteries naturally stiffen with age, which can raise your risk of heart attack and stroke.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
11 Apr. 2026
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The men’s Run 900 Ultra Black Shorts feature integrated Rheon technology, a reactive polymer that remains soft at rest but stiffens under pressure.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harden. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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