Harden

/ˈhɑɹdn̩/ · verb

Meaning

(intransitive) To become hard..

Definitions by Sense

1. (intransitive) To become hard.
2. (transitive, ergative) To make something hard or harder.
3. (transitive, figurative) To strengthen.
4. (transitive, computing) To modify (a website or other system) to make it resistant to malicious attacks.
5. (ambitransitive) To become or make (a person or thing) resistant or less sensitive.
6. (intransitive, informal) To get an erection.
7. (ambitransitive, phonology) To become or make (a consonant) more fortis; to (cause to) undergo fortition.
8. (Slavic phonology) To unpalatalize or velarize.

Example Sentences

The Chief Medical Officer of London Transport believes that public opinion against smoking will harden to the point of a total bar on the Underground, as in other countries.

In view of the system's relatively low cost, the preferred alternative could be for the military user to avail himself of multiple base stations rather than seeking to harden the base station hardware for defense applications.

Ramos had locked Salah’s right arm and turned him, judo-style, as they lost balance going for the same ball. Television replays hardened the suspicion it was a calculated move on Ramos’s part and, when Salah landed with a hell of a thud, the damage was considerable.

When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

He hardened as he imagined himself running his hands over her small breasts

Of course one needs to keep in mind the fact that *tʹ and *dʹ are hardened before *e and *i in Ukrainian and Rusyn[…]

Belarussian preserved soft labials before vowels, hardened rʹ to r, and affricated tʹ and dʹ[…]

Synonyms for harden

Antonyms for harden

Related Words

Word Forms

• hardens
• hardening
• hardened

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions