toughen
/ˈtʌfn
/verb
1Make or become stronger or more resilient: [with object]: he tried to toughen his son up by sending him to public school [no object]: a falcon has scaly skin on its legs that toughens up very quickly...
- Most of the foals we saw here will be taken to Bazy's Hat Ranch in northern Arizona to be turned out on large acreage where they can toughen up and develop strong bones and feet.
- Because of its low fat content, goat meat will lose moisture and can toughen quickly if exposed to high temperatures and dry cooking methods.
- Best practice would be to fit five point door bolts, make sure any glass in doors is toughened to make it harder to smash, fit security lighting and lock away any garden equipment that could be used to break into a property.
Synonyms
strengthen, fortify, reinforce, harden, stiffen, consolidate, temper, season, rigidify, thicken, coarsen
technical indurate, anneal, cement
harden, fortify, strengthen, give strength to, steel, harshen, make resilient;
make unfeeling, brutalize, make callous, case-harden, inure
1.1 [with object] Make (rules or a policy) stricter and more harsh: proposals to toughen up sentencing policy...
- Some 80% of voters had rejected a second proposal by an anti-abortion coalition to toughen the rules on abortion, the survey said.
- It has lobbied against proposals to toughen the law on cold calling and doorstep selling.
- He could also pressure the state's congressional delegation to toughen the federal law.
Synonyms
make stricter, make more severe, toughen up, stiffen, tighten
informal beef up
Derivatives
toughener
- The proportion of tenderizers to tougheners is a relatively simple way to classify flour types.
- It was a good mental toughener, though, which is exactly why I'll be going back next week.
- Proper footwear, skin tougheners, taping, frequent sock and shoe changes, proper hydration, correct lacing techniques, and gaiters all contribute to the prevention of blisters.