Definitions

harden

[hahr-dn] / ˈhɑr dn /

VERB

make or become solid

Synonyms

STRONG

amalgamate anneal bake brace buttress cake calcify callous cement close clot coagulate compact congeal consolidate contract crystallize curdle dry firm fix fortify fossilize freeze gird indurate jell nerve ossify petrify precipitate press reinforce set settle solidify starch steel stiffen strengthen temper thicken toughen vitrify

WEAK

densify

Antonyms

STRONG

continue dilute discourage dishearten disjoin dissolve dissuade divide enlarge flex hurt let go liquefy loosen melt open separate soften thin unfix unsettle upset weaken

WEAK

be intolerant indulge spoil

VERB

accustom

Synonyms

STRONG

acclimate acclimatize adapt adjust blunt brutalize callous callus coarsen conform deaden develop discipline dull embitter habituate indurate inure numb paralyze roughen season steel stiffen strengthen stun stupefy teach train

WEAK

case-harden climatize make callous render insensitive

Antonyms

STRONG

disarrange disorder enliven neglect unfit weaken

WEAK

be intolerant indulge liquefy melt soften spoil

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 Knicks set screens to force Harden to switch onto Brunson—and then got out of the way to let their leader go to work.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Brown knew that Brunson was among the best one-on-one scorers in the NBA, and that Cleveland guard James Harden was notoriously slow-footed on defense.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

When they reached Newchurch Road at 23:58 there was an interaction with Harden.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Luke Harden, 36, died on Newchurch Road in Bacup, Lancashire, shortly after midnight on 1 November.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

“Madam, Mrs. Harden says she has sent up the usual quantity.”

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

harden

Example Sentences

Related Words