Synonyms for harden
Most common
Definitions
- v. 1
To become or make (a person or thing) resistant or less sensitive.
Forms
- Past participle
- hardened
e.g. hardened → steeled, strengthened, inured, toughened…
Example sentences
- steel Building the steel factory was a great enterprise.
- strengthen We must strengthen the ties between our countries.
- fortify We will fortify the gates with iron bars.
- toughen The families demanded for the law to toughen.
- solidify Mary finds that discussing topics with Tom helps solidify her knowledge.
- stiffen Dad used spray starch to stiffen his dress shirts.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| harden | steady | |
| steel | falling | |
| strengthen | steady | |
| fortify | steady | |
| toughen | rising | |
| solidify | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- cake1
- 5 letters
- train1, steel1, nerve1, brace1, inure2
- 6 letters
- season2, temper2, anneal2, ossify3
- 7 letters
- confirm2, compact2, fortify3, toughen2, stiffen2, petrify3
- 8 letters
- concrete2, solidify4, accustom3, indurate, roborate
- 9 letters
- acclimate3, brutalize3, habituate, brutalise
- 10 letters
- strengthen2, invigorate4, caseharden
- 11 letters
- consolidate4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (inure2 = 2 syllables).