harden

/ˈhɑrdn/

/ˈhɑdɪn/

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

   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

   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

   antonyms:

   soften

   become soft or softer

   types:

   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

   type of:

   toughen

   make tough or tougher
5. verb

   cause to accept or become hardened to; habituate
   synonyms: indurate, inure

   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)