indurate

/ˈɪndʊˌreɪt/
verb
  1. To make or become hard or hardened.
    • The blacksmith used a hammer to indurate the metal blade.
    • Over time, the clay will indurate into a durable brick.
    • Repeated freezing and thawing can indurate the soil into a solid mass.
  2. To make or become emotionally or mentally hardened; to make callous.
    • Years of hardship had indurated his heart against pity.
    • The constant criticism began to indurate her, making her less sensitive to others' opinions.
    • War can indurate even the most gentle soldiers.
Antonyms
adjective
  1. Hardened; physically rigid.
    • The indurate shell of the nut required a strong cracker.
    • The indurate crust of the lava field was difficult to break.
    • Farmers struggled to plow the indurate ground after the drought.
  2. Emotionally or mentally hardened; unfeeling.
    • The indurate judge showed no mercy to the defendant.
    • She had become indurate after years of disappointment.
    • His indurate expression showed no sign of remorse.
Synonyms