toughen
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.
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The changes were designed to toughen punishments for terrorists and enhance deterrence against extremism, some officials have said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
You've got to toughen up and get on with it, but you know, the senior boys were great...
From BBC ● Mar. 21, 2026
A bipartisan bill released Thursday would toughen penalties against preparers who improperly handle returns.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 27, 2026
Australia's leaders have agreed to toughen laws that allowed Sajid Akram to own six guns.
From Barron's ● Dec. 18, 2025
“I can make you an ointment for that,” said Haldon, “and there are certain mineral salts that will toughen your skin.”
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
The act toughens the law on age verification online, another inquiry recommendation.
From BBC ● Jan. 9, 2025
The Sixers’ schedule toughens up next week with a game against Chicago, the 12th team in the East.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 11, 2023
The proposed housing bill also toughens eviction regulations.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 18, 2023
They are challenging to get rid of, too: The eggs are protected inside the mother’s body, which toughens after death into a cyst that can survive in the soil for years.
From Science Magazine ● Feb. 27, 2022
The only thing that changed is that he calls me Space Boy twice as often, which only toughens my resolve not to press the button.
From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson
Miliband was pressed on whether he expected the government's toughened stance on Israel to result in an increased threat to British Jews during his Commons appearance on Tuesday.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
"I can say with absolute certainty that to raise creatures able to survive nature's harshness, they must be toughened up while growing up," Kinjo, 56, told AFP.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
Those calls intensified after Canada’s broadcaster regulator toughened those rules further, increasing the financial obligations of US streamers like Netflix.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 2026
Singapore has toughened punishments for convicted scammers -- including up to 24 strokes with a cane -- and created a 24-hour helpline that receives up to 700 calls daily.
From Barron's ● Mar. 13, 2026
“We’ve been through hell and back, kid. I know it. But it’s toughened us up, right? We can do what it takes to live through one more challenge.”
From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner
McVay understands that the “old-school way” of toughening and preparing players for a season can be achieved without “killing us on the field,” Adams said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
Whilst countries differ in their approaches to tackling antisemitism – from toughening laws to improving education – they also identify common experiences, with near universal concern about the role of social media and artificial intelligence.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
Several nations are toughening up age restrictions on social media platforms as concerns grow over excessive screen time for children and their exposure to harmful content online.
From Barron's ● Mar. 11, 2026
Legal scholars, however, say the recent criticism of provisional sentences ignores more than a decade of legislation and jurisprudence aimed at toughening up a legal system that can take years to reach a final verdict.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2025
At night, with Crane-man’s careful ministrations, the wound on Tree-ear’s hand would begin to heal, the tender pink layer toughening slightly.
From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park
