1
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
hardened from years of deprivation and grief, the man regarded the house fire as just another misfortune in a life filled with them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
hardened cynics regarded those TV shows as being anything but reality-based
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in froze
to become physically firm or solid
the glue begins to harden as soon as it is exposed to air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strengthened
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 toughened
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 stiffened
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
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Recent Examples of hardened
Colin Bedell, Them, 20 Mar. 2025
The company doesn't say if the glass is hardened against breakage like Gorilla Glass.
—PCMAG, 20 Mar. 2025
European colonial rule hardened the distinction.
—Emmet Livingstone, The Dial, 20 Mar. 2025
Once hardened to the surface, that polymerized layer feels impossible to remove.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2025
Drones and conventional missiles fired from long range cannot carry the large payloads required to significantly damage hardened or sprawling targets like the ones in Yemen.
—Stacie L. Pettyjohn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Mar. 2025
Canadians at first reacted to tariffs with icy fear, but that has hardened into anger and resolve.
—Stephen Maher, TIME, 9 Mar. 2025
As the two sides hardened their bargaining positions, Israel shut off all food and other aid entering the strip Sunday, saying its obligations expired with the end of the first ceasefire stage.
—Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Mar. 2025
Apple products are not affected by the attack, but even so, the company hardened the Find My network to resist this kind of attack.
—David Phelan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
March 27 is an opportunity to dissolve barriers between the heart and the soul, and to soften the edges where hurt has hardened us.
—Colin Bedell, Them, 20 Mar. 2025
The company doesn't say if the glass is hardened against breakage like Gorilla Glass.
—PCMAG, 20 Mar. 2025
European colonial rule hardened the distinction.
—Emmet Livingstone, The Dial, 20 Mar. 2025
Once hardened to the surface, that polymerized layer feels impossible to remove.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2025
Drones and conventional missiles fired from long range cannot carry the large payloads required to significantly damage hardened or sprawling targets like the ones in Yemen.
—Stacie L. Pettyjohn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Mar. 2025
Canadians at first reacted to tariffs with icy fear, but that has hardened into anger and resolve.
—Stephen Maher, TIME, 9 Mar. 2025
As the two sides hardened their bargaining positions, Israel shut off all food and other aid entering the strip Sunday, saying its obligations expired with the end of the first ceasefire stage.
—Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Mar. 2025
Apple products are not affected by the attack, but even so, the company hardened the Find My network to resist this kind of attack.
—David Phelan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardened
Adjective
-
It’s got all the gaming-friendly extras; HDR support, DP 1.4, HDMI, and a metal stand that actually feels sturdy for once.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
26 May 2025
-
Subscribers can save up to 76 percent on tons of coveted finds for the holiday weekend, including summer fashion, sturdy luggage, and outdoor furniture.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Jet fuel rolled down the street and the smell of it lingered in the air while authorities worked to extinguish one stubborn car fire that sent smoke billowing up.—
John Hanna,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
-
Of course, stubborn coach Tom Thibodeau went with his only play, a Jalen Brunson iso, while the starters huffed and puffed from playing nearly the entire game.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
When the property bubble burst and prices began to fall amid a broader economic slowdown, the market froze, leaving many of these units unoccupied.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The government initially froze all these grants and contracts.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
The fisherman aesthetic, a modern and trendy take on nautical design, offers cool colors and hardy materials (like wood and stone) with an emphasis on creating cozy spots to lounge.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2025
-
As usual, his Ethan Hunt is muscular, hardy, game for anything.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Following Meghan's statements, Eldridge is adamant that her relatable role isn't convincing.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
29 May 2025
-
In early previews and pre-release memos, the developers have been adamant that, despite targeting a more casual audience with some more forgiving elements, this is meant to be enjoyed by people who have spent hundreds of hours in the main game and its 2024 expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
Despite Aspinall winning the interim crown, UFC CEO Dana White remained steadfast in saying that Jones vs. Miocic was the fight to make.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
Over the years, the Biden family has confronted unimaginable adversity with grace and steadfast perseverance.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardened. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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