harden

/ˈhɑrdn/
/ˈhɑdɪn/
IPA guide

Other forms: hardened; hardening; hardens

Definitions of harden
  1. verb
    make hard or harder
    “The cold hardened the butter”
    synonyms: indurate
    indurate
    become hard or harder
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    antonyms:
    soften
    make soft or softer
    types:
    face-harden
    harden steel by adding carbon
    callus
    cause a callus to form on
    anneal, normalize, temper
    bring to a desired consistency, texture, or hardness by a process of gradually heating and cooling
    type of:
    change
    undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature
  2. verb
    harden by reheating and cooling in oil
    synonyms: temper
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    type of:
    modify
    make less severe or harsh or extreme
  3. verb
    become hard or harder
    “The wax hardened”
    synonyms: indurate
    indurate
    make hard or harder
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    soften
    become soft or softer
    types:
    show 5 types...
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    encrust, incrust
    form a crust or a hard layer
    callus
    form a callus or calluses
    calcify
    become impregnated with calcium salts
    cure
    make (substances) hard and improve their usability
    effloresce
    become encrusted with crystals due to evaporation
    type of:
    change
    undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature
  4. verb
    make fit
    synonyms: season
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    type of:
    toughen
    make tough or tougher
  5. verb
    cause to accept or become hardened to; habituate
    synonyms: indurate, inure
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    types:
    callous, cauterise, cauterize
    make insensitive or callous; deaden feelings or morals
    brace oneself for, prepare for, steel oneself against, steel onself for
    prepare mentally or emotionally for something unpleasant
    type of:
    accustom, habituate
    make psychologically or physically used (to something)
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