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⇱ hardened - WordReference.com Dictionary of English


hardened

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈhɑːrdənd/US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(härdnd)


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
hard•ened  (härdnd),USA pronunciation adj. 
  1. made or become hard or harder.
  2. pitiless;
    unfeeling.
  3. firmly established or unlikely to change;
    inveterate:a hardened criminal.
  4. inured;
    toughened:a hardened trooper.
  5. rigid;
    unyielding:a hardened attitude.
  6. (of a missile base) equipped to launch missiles from underground silos.
  7. (of a missile) capable of being launched from an underground silo.
  • 1325–75; Middle English; see harden, -ed2

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
hardened /ˈhɑːdənd/ adj
  1. rigidly set, as in a mode of behaviour
  2. toughened, as by custom; seasoned
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
hard•en /ˈhɑrdən/USA pronunciation   v. 
  1. to (cause to) become hard or harder: [no object]The ice cream hardened in the freezer.[+ object]The freezer will harden the ice cream.
  2. to (cause to) become pitiless, unfeeling, or less gentle and sympathetic: [no object]His heart hardened with anger.[+ object]His cruel life had hardened his heart.
  3. to cause to become stronger;
    toughen:[+ object]Battle had hardened the troops.
hard•en•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
hard•en  (härdn),USA pronunciation v.t. 
  1. to make hard or harder:to harden steel.
  2. to make pitiless or unfeeling:to harden one's heart.
  3. to make rigid or unyielding;
    stiffen:The rigors of poverty hardened his personality.
  4. to strengthen or confirm, esp. with reference to character, intentions, feelings, etc.;
    reinforce.
  5. to make hardy, robust, or capable of endurance;
    toughen.
  6. Militaryto reinforce the structure of (a military or strategic installation) to protect it from nuclear bombardment.

v.i. 
  1. to become hard or harder.
  2. to become pitiless or unfeeling.
  3. to become rigid or unyielding;
    stiffen:His personality hardened over the years.
  4. to become confirmed or strengthened:His resistance hardened.
  5. to become inured or toughened:The troops hardened under constant fire.
  6. Business[Com.](of a market, prices, etc.)
    • to cease to fluctuate;
      firm:When the speculators withdrew from the market, the prices hardened.
    • to rise higher.
  • 1150–1200; Middle English; see hard, -en1
harden•a•ble, adj. 
hard′en•a•bili•ty, n. 
    1. . solidify, indurate; petrify, ossify. 4. . fortify, steel, brace, nerve.
    1. . soften. 4. . weaken.

Har•den  (härdn),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. Biographical Sir Arthur, 1865–1940, English biochemist: Nobel prize 1929.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
harden /ˈhɑːdən/ vb
  1. to make or become hard or harder; freeze, stiffen, or set
  2. to make or become more hardy, tough, or unfeeling
  3. to make or become stronger or firmer
  4. (intransitive)
    • (of prices, a market, etc) to cease to fluctuate
    • (of price) to rise higher
'hardened' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "hardened" in the title:

a hardened criminal/detective, etc.
A shower of hardened mud fell <to/on> the ground
accidents hardened
Hard/Hardened
hardened
hardened and dried skin of the wound
Hardened cops dancing in the street and broadcast
hardened into a purpose than <which> I have never entertained a more determined purpose.
Hardened professional
Hardened, fledged [pronunciation]
His face hardened when talked about the battle.
Life hardened
Lines increasingly hardened
No one more touchy than your hardened criminal
positions have hardened
stern/hardened/unfriendly
What do you call the hardened skin on the palms of your hands?
What's the difference between "hardened" and "hardline"
which nothing but one hardened against
Who/whom.....when it is hardened/when hardened

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