toughen
verb
tough·en ˈtə-fən 
toughened; toughening ˈtə-fə-niŋ
ˈtəf-niŋ
transitive verb
: to make tough
intransitive verb
: to become tough
Synonyms
- beef (up)
- fortify
- harden
- strengthen
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The government is toughening antidrug laws. weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours
Recent Examples on the Web Style it for summer with a matching white bag from Tory Burch or toughen up the look for fall with a pair of backless loafers by Bottega Veneta. 
Laura Jackson, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2022 Joey Votto is one player who typically won’t wear batting gloves at the beginning of spring training as a way to toughen up his hands for the grind of a season. The Enquirer, 29 Aug. 2022 The venue where renowned author Salman Rushdie was stabbed Friday had rejected previous recommendations to toughen security measures, two sources told CNN. Paul P. Murphy, CNN, 13 Aug. 2022 That prompted criticism from Zeldin and other Republicans who held it up as an example of the need to reform New York’s bail laws, something Zeldin has called upon Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul to toughen. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 25 July 2022 Wiggins recommends a flatform sandal to toughen up the most romantic dress styles. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 24 June 2022 Labor advocates point to new measures taking effect in January to toughen enforcement of workplace health and safety rules, outlaw piecework in the garment industry and rein in unsafe speed quotas at warehouses. Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2021 The slanted bob was styled to look a little wet and lived-in, giving the sweet color a bit of edge to toughen it up. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 July 2022 The legislation would toughen background checks for the youngest firearms buyers, require more sellers to conduct background checks and beef up penalties on gun traffickers. Alan Fram, Anchorage Daily News, 22 June 2022 See More
Laura Jackson, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2022 Joey Votto is one player who typically won’t wear batting gloves at the beginning of spring training as a way to toughen up his hands for the grind of a season. The Enquirer, 29 Aug. 2022 The venue where renowned author Salman Rushdie was stabbed Friday had rejected previous recommendations to toughen security measures, two sources told CNN. Paul P. Murphy, CNN, 13 Aug. 2022 That prompted criticism from Zeldin and other Republicans who held it up as an example of the need to reform New York’s bail laws, something Zeldin has called upon Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul to toughen. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 25 July 2022 Wiggins recommends a flatform sandal to toughen up the most romantic dress styles. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 24 June 2022 Labor advocates point to new measures taking effect in January to toughen enforcement of workplace health and safety rules, outlaw piecework in the garment industry and rein in unsafe speed quotas at warehouses. Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2021 The slanted bob was styled to look a little wet and lived-in, giving the sweet color a bit of edge to toughen it up. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 July 2022 The legislation would toughen background checks for the youngest firearms buyers, require more sellers to conduct background checks and beef up penalties on gun traffickers. Alan Fram, Anchorage Daily News, 22 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Kids Definition
toughen
verb
tough·en ˈtə-fən
toughened; toughening
: to make or become tough
Going barefoot toughened my feet.
toughening
verb
1
as in strengthening
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
Relevance
- strengthening
- hardening
- fortifying
- tempering
- annealing
- beefing (up)
- energizing
- vitalizing
- invigorating
- restrengthening
- toning (up)
- firming (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- weakening
- crippling
- damaging
- hurting
- debilitating
- impairing
- harming
- injuring
- undermining
- paralyzing
- enfeebling
- incapacitating
- enervating
- undercutting
- breaking down
- sapping
- wearing out
2
as in hardening
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure hiking every morning through snow and ice toughened him considerably Synonyms & Similar Words
- strengthening
- hardening
- fortifying
- adjusting
- inuring
- steeling
- seasoning
- bolstering
- adapting
- reinforcing
- tempering
- indurating
- bracing
- enforcing
- acclimating
- acclimatizing
- annealing
- immunizing
- conditioning
- vitalizing
- invigorating
- buttressing
- boosting
- training
- accustoming
- reenforcing
- supporting
- habituating
- forearming
- breaking in
- naturalizing
- propping (up)
- limbering (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- softening
- weakening
- exhausting
- sapping
- crippling
- enervating
- debilitating
- sensitizing
- emasculating
- incapacitating
- enfeebling
- hamstringing
3
as in stiffening
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe attempts to toughen conditions under which waivers from military service would be permitted Synonyms & Similar Words
- strengthening
- stiffening
- hardening
- harshening
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- softening
- easing
- lessening
- ameliorating
- moderating
- straight-front
- straight-grained
- straight-leg
- straight-line
- straight-line frequency condenser
- straight-line gale
- straight-line method
- straight-line rate
- straight-line wind
- straight-lined
- straight-of-breadth
- straight-out
- straight-pull
- straight-run
- straight-side
- straight-sided
- straight-up
- straightaway
- straightaways
- straightbred
- straightbreds
- straighted
- straightedge
- straightedges
- straighten