Laxi Dictionary

American Dictionary

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Definition harden in American English

harden verb

verb
/ˈhɑrd(ə)n/
1

to become hard or firm, or to make something hard or firm

Example

This additive hardens the cement in an hour.

Example

The bread will harden if you don't cover it.

Synonyms and related words
atomize bake boil
2

to make someone become less affected or upset by unpleasant things so that they show less kindness or sympathy to other people

Example

Years of reporting on wars hardened them to human suffering.

Synonyms and related words
influence decide lead to
2.1

if your expression or voice hardens, you begin to look or sound unfriendly

Example

His eyes hardened when he saw her.

Synonyms and related words
clear crease creep break choke crack
3

to become strong, to make someone or something strong

Example

The soldiers have been hardened by months in the field.

Synonyms and related words
strengthen intensify invigorate
4

if you harden your attitude, or if it hardens, you refuse to change it

Example

Their position is hardening.

Example

Forsyth appeared to have hardened his line on (=his attitude toward) Europe.

Definition harden in American English