toughen up

VERB

condition

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accustom brainwash educate

STRONG

equip habituate inure modify practice program ready sharpen train

WEAK

build up loosen up make ready shape up tone up warm up whip into shape work out work over

Antonyms

STRONG

forget neglect

VERB

temper

Synonyms

STRONG

anneal bake braze cement chill congeal dry indurate mold petrify set solidify starch steel stiffen strengthen toughen

Antonyms

STRONG

discourage dissuade liquefy melt separate soften weaken

WEAK

aggravate agitate bend excite flex infuriate upset

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.

The spokesman also said the independent review would explore "how we can go even further to toughen up the safeguards in place against illicit money from abroad", including cryptocurrencies.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

City Section teams continue to struggle against Southern Section opponents in nonleague games, but many are using the strategy Birmingham has used for years to toughen up before league play begins.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2025

The union boss said he supported proposals to scrap short sentences for some offenders and toughen up community orders supervised by probation officers.

From BBC • May 9, 2025

Would you say you use beautiful melodies to soften an acerbic lyric or use acerbic lyrics to toughen up a beautiful melody?

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2024

And if he didn’t toughen up, what would happen to him when there was no Trotter to look after him?

From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson

toughen up

Example Sentences

Related Words