tougher

ADJECTIVE

sturdy, strong

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hard healthy resilient solid stiff tenacious tight vigorous

STRONG

firm fit hardy stalwart stout

WEAK

brawny cohesive conditioned dense durable fibrous flinty hard as nails hard-bitten hardened indigestible inflexible leathery lusty mighty molded resistant rigid robust rugged seasoned sinewy steeled strapping tough as nails unbreakable unyielding withstanding

Antonyms

STRONGEST

easy flexible loose pliable pliant slack soft weak yielding

WEAK

controllable delicate facile fragile gentle kind nice tender unstable vulnerable wobbly

ADJECTIVE

obstinate, rough

Synonyms

STRONGEST

desperate fierce hard hard-nosed harsh narrow resolute severe stern stiff strict terrible

STRONG

adamant firm refractory savage

WEAK

arbitrary callous confirmed cruel drastic exacting ferocious fixed hard-bitten hard-boiled hard-line hard-shelled headstrong immutable inflexible intractable merciless obdurate pugnacious ruffianly ruthless stubborn taut unalterable unbending uncompromising uncontrollable unforgiving unmanageable unyielding vicious violent

Antonyms

STRONGEST

amenable calm easy easy-going facile flexible gentle kind lenient mild nice peaceful pliable pliant soft tolerant uncertain yielding

STRONG

supple

WEAK

controllable delicate fragile tender unstable vulnerable weak wobbly

ADJECTIVE

difficult, laborious

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arduous demanding hard onerous severe stiff strenuous troublesome

STRONG

handful heavy mean uphill

WEAK

backbreaking baffling burdensome effortful exacting exhausting exigent grievous hairy intractable intricate irksome knotty labored no piece of cake oppressive perplexing puzzling resisting taxing thorny toilsome trying unyielding weighty wicked

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm easy facile flexible mild nice pliable pliant soft trivial

WEAK

controllable delicate fragile gentle kind tender unstable vulnerable weak wobbly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Tougher trade measures would aim to stabilize the two economies’ relationship, European officials say, something they argue is in both sides’ interest in the long term.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026

Tougher US sanctions under Trump followed, and even before the ongoing fuel blockade was imposed, tourism had fallen by 17.8 percent.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

Tougher economic conditions have sharpened her worries about paying her bills when the campaign cycle is done.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Tougher enforcement of those polluting the environment was also called for, with new legislation needed to give Natural Resources Wales powers to issue civil sanctions, such as stop orders and fines.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2025

“You’re tough like your old man. Tougher than nails, right? Just like I named you. Just like your old man.”

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi