hardened
Americanadjective
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made or become hard or harder.
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pitiless; unfeeling.
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firmly established or unlikely to change; inveterate.
a hardened criminal.
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inured; toughened.
a hardened trooper.
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rigid; unyielding.
a hardened attitude.
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(of a missile base) equipped to launch missiles from underground silos.
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(of a missile) capable of being launched from an underground silo.
adjective
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rigidly set, as in a mode of behaviour
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toughened, as by custom; seasoned
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(of a nuclear missile site) constructed to withstand a nuclear attack
Other Word Forms
- semihardened adjective
- unhardened adjective
- well-hardened adjective
Etymology
Origin of hardened
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.
Many people fear the regime will emerge from the attacks hardened and embittered.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
Speaking on Radio Wales Breakfast, Carnall said "a few hardened campers" have carried on with their plans but it is "very lucky... we're able to take touring vans and motorhomes as well".
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026
“It hardened the resolve in the region and cemented the alignment within the Gulf with the U.S.”
From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026
Shredded cheese can also be whisked in or sprinkled immediately after the egg mixture hits the pan to create a slightly hardened top layer.
From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026
He stares off at nothing, and it’s strange how he looks older and hardened.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.