harden
/ˈhɑrdən/
verb
- To become or make something firm, solid, or stiff.
- The cold weather caused the ground to harden overnight.
- The glue will harden in about an hour.
- You need to harden the clay by baking it in a kiln.
- To become or make someone more severe, strict, or less sympathetic.
- Don't let the criticism harden you against trying new things.
- The teacher hardened her rules after the students misbehaved.
- Years of disappointment hardened his heart.
- To become or make something stronger or more resistant to damage.
- Regular exercise helps harden your bones.
- They hardened the steel to make it last longer.
- The company hardened its computer system against hackers.
Antonyms