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toughen

[ tuhf-uhn ]

/ ˈtʌf ən /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR toughen ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object)

to make or become tough or tougher.

Origin of toughen

First recorded in 1575–85; tough + -en¹

SYNONYMS FOR toughen

harden, firm, strengthen, stiffen.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR toughen ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM toughen

tough·en·er, noun

Words nearby toughen

tough nut, tough pitch, tough row to hoe, tough sledding, tough-minded, toughen, toughie, toughish, toughness, toughy, toujours perdrix

Example sentences from the Web for toughen

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

Kate and William’s Royal Family Values |Tom Sykes |September 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The African-American community wants Obama to toughen up and fight back.

7 Best Moments From Sunday Talk | |August 21, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
Valdes-Rodriguez is dating a New Mexico cowpoke who is attempting to toughen up her son.

Meet the Fútbol Moms |Bryan Curtis |July 18, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
Perhaps they are planning to toughen up the bill, not in the shadows of committee but in the sunshine of open debate.

How Obama Wimped Out |Eric Alterman |April 29, 2010 |DAILY BEAST

While we celebrate our progress in 2009, we must toughen our resolve not to back off one iota.

The Year in Sexism |Amy Siskind |December 17, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
"We'll live in fur and toughen ourselves," said Ernest Hume.

The Day of His Youth |Alice Brown
When each part is trimmed accurately to measure, they are put aside to toughen.

Pottery, for Artists Craftsmen & Teachers |George J. Cox
Do not let the meat boil too hard or too long, as this will toughen it and extract the juices.

Housekeeping in Old Virginia |Marion Cabell Tyree
But my dresses are high-necked, and by bathing I toughen my skin.

The Twins of Table Mountain and Other Stories |Bret Harte
This tends to toughen the steel, and it makes a better knife by this extra work.

The Library of Work and Play: Working in Metals |Charles Conrad Sleffel

British Dictionary definitions for toughen

toughen

/ (ˈtʌfən) /

verb

to make or become tough or tougher