toughen

verb

tough·​en ˈtə-fən How to pronounce toughen (audio)
toughened; toughening ˈtə-fə-niŋ How to pronounce toughen (audio)
ˈtəf-niŋ

intransitive verb

: to become tough

Examples of toughen in a Sentence

The government is toughening antidrug laws. weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours
Recent Examples on the Web Just a few days after a group U.S. lawmakers moved to toughen a tax loophole that lets Shein import its clothes at a cut price, the clothing giant is now facing pushback from competitors in the U.K. and environmentally-minded politicians in France. Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 5 Mar. 2024 The new effort to toughen up the law — even if that increases the state’s prison populace a bit — now includes San Francisco and San Jose Mayors London Breed and Matt Mahan. Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Business owner and Navy veteran Mauricio Piña said that as enforcement has toughened, it's become more difficult for people from across the border to come and join in the celebration, which has visible economic and social impacts for the city. Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2024 These attacks, if anything, appear to have toughened him. Roger Cohen, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024 The White House directive ultimately led the Treasury Department this January to begin crafting rules to toughen its merger reviews. Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2024 National Security, Not Election-Year Politics A simple question: If Congress can ameliorate the border crisis by tightening up the removal process, toughening asylum standards, and increasing detention resources, why not just do that? Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 6 Feb. 2024 Treason is punishable by up to life in prison under legislation toughened since the start of the military offensive. CBS News, 21 Feb. 2024 Stephen Kavanagh, the British candidate, has played a key role in toughening the red-notice system in his current role as Mr. Stock’s No. 2. Jane Bradley, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toughen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of toughen was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near toughen

Cite this Entry

“Toughen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toughen. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

toughen

verb
tough·​en ˈtəf-ən How to pronounce toughen (audio)
toughened; toughening ˈtəf-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce toughen (audio)
: to make or become tough

More from Merriam-Webster on toughen

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