toughen

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.

A bipartisan bill released Thursday would toughen penalties against preparers who improperly handle returns.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026

This week, Japan's new environment minister vowed to toughen bear controls, including by "training government hunters".

From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025

Such prohibitions exist in dozens of states, but many doctors, nurses and policymakers want to toughen them up as a buttress against private equity’s influence in the sector.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 7, 2025

A tribunal then ruled low-interest shareholder loans should not be excluded from the scope of the APTs, and that changes made to toughen up the regulations also breached competition law.

From BBC • Sep. 8, 2025

“Let’s toughen up. We knew it was a four-quarter football game when we got on the plane today. We just need to bow up.”

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger