Synonyms

hardening

[hahr-dn-ing]

hard·en·ing

[hahr-dn-ing]
noun
1.
a material that hardens another, as an alloy added to iron to make steel.
2.
the process of becoming hard or rigid.

Origin:
1620–30; harden + -ing1

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Hardening is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

hard·en

[hahr-dn]
verb (used with object)
1.
to make hard or harder: to harden steel.
2.
to make pitiless or unfeeling: to harden one's heart.
3.
to make rigid or unyielding; stiffen: The rigors of poverty hardened his personality.
4.
to strengthen or confirm, especially with reference to character, intentions, feelings, etc.; reinforce.
5.
to make hardy, robust, or capable of endurance; toughen.
EXPAND
6.
Military. to reinforce the structure of (a military or strategic installation) to protect it from nuclear bombardment.
COLLAPSE
verb (used without object)
7.
to become hard or harder.
8.
to become pitiless or unfeeling.
9.
to become rigid or unyielding; stiffen: His personality hardened over the years.
10.
to become confirmed or strengthened: His resistance hardened.
11.
to become inured or toughened: The troops hardened under constant fire.
EXPAND
12.
Commerce. (of a market, prices, etc.)
a.
to cease to fluctuate; firm: When the speculators withdrew from the market, the prices hardened.
b.
to rise higher.
COLLAPSE

Origin:
1150–1200; Middle English; see hard, -en1

hard·en·a·ble, adjective
hard·en·a·bil·i·ty, noun
o·ver·hard·en, verb
pre·hard·en, verb (used with object)
re·hard·en, verb
EXPAND
un·hard·en, verb (used with object)
un·hard·en·a·ble, adjective
COLLAPSE


1. solidify, indurate; petrify, ossify. 4. fortify, steel, brace, nerve.


1. soften. 4. weaken.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To hardening
Collins
World English Dictionary
hardening (ˈhɑːdənɪŋ)
 
n
1.  the act or process of becoming or making hard
2.  a substance added to another substance or material to make it harder

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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