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Showing results for harden. Search instead for harfen.
Definitions

harden

[hahr-dn] / ˈhɑr dn /
VERB
make or become solid
Synonyms
STRONG
amalgamate anneal bake brace buttress cake calcify callous cement close clot coagulate compact congeal consolidate contract crystallize curdle dry firm fix fortify fossilize freeze gird indurate jell nerve ossify petrify precipitate press reinforce set settle solidify starch steel stiffen strengthen temper thicken toughen vitrify
WEAK
densify
Antonyms
STRONG
continue dilute discourage dishearten disjoin dissolve dissuade divide enlarge flex hurt let go liquefy loosen melt open separate soften thin unfix unsettle upset weaken
WEAK
be intolerant indulge spoil
VERB
accustom
Synonyms
STRONG
acclimate acclimatize adapt adjust blunt brutalize callous callus coarsen conform deaden develop discipline dull embitter habituate indurate inure numb paralyze roughen season steel stiffen strengthen stun stupefy teach train
WEAK
case-harden climatize make callous render insensitive
Antonyms
STRONG
disarrange disorder enliven neglect unfit weaken
WEAK
be intolerant indulge liquefy melt soften spoil

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.

Inflation will test him almost immediately, and numbers well above the Fed’s target could force the committee to harden its language faster than he would prefer, narrowing his room to maneuver.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

He supports funding for advanced wildfire detection technology, more resources for firefighters, strengthening incentives for homeowners to harden against wildfires, clean energy and climate resilient infrastructure and strengthening federal disaster relief programs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

But the Iranian conflict could harden Kim’s longstanding rejection of any U.S. overtures to engage in disarmament talks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The service takes technical measures to harden the security of its server network.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

I wonder if it’ll ever be enough to thaw the freeze, or if the ice will just soften for a moment, then harden again.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen