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View synonyms for harden

harden

1

[ hahr-dn ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to make hard or harder:

    to harden steel.

    Synonyms: ossify, petrify, indurate, solidify

    Antonyms: soften

  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.

    Synonyms: nerve, brace, steel, fortify

    Antonyms: weaken

  5. to make hardy, robust, or capable of endurance; toughen.
  6. Military. to reinforce the structure of (a military or strategic installation) to protect it from nuclear bombardment.


verb (used without object)

  1. to become hard or harder.
  2. to become pitiless or unfeeling.
  3. to become rigid or unyielding; stiffen:

    His personality hardened over the years.

  4. to become confirmed or strengthened:

    His resistance hardened.

  5. to become inured or toughened:

    The troops hardened under constant fire.

  6. Commerce. (of a market, prices, etc.)
    1. to cease to fluctuate; firm:

      When the speculators withdrew from the market, the prices hardened.

    2. to rise higher.

Harden

2

[ hahr-dn ]

noun

  1. Sir Arthur, 1865–1940, English biochemist: Nobel Prize 1929.

harden

1

/ ˈhɑːdən /

noun

  1. a rough fabric made from hards


harden

2

/ ˈhɑːdən /

verb

  1. to make or become hard or harder; freeze, stiffen, or set
  2. to make or become more hardy, tough, or unfeeling
  3. to make or become stronger or firmer

    they hardened defences

  4. to make or become more resolute or set

    hardened in his resolve

  5. intr commerce
    1. (of prices, a market, etc) to cease to fluctuate
    2. (of price) to rise higher

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Other Words From

  • 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
  • un·harden verb (used with object)
  • un·harden·a·ble adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of harden1

Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; hard, -en 1

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