" toughens "

1: to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force;

  * e.g., " ... weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours "

•  Synonyms : 

•  beefs (up),

•  fortifies,

•  hardens,

•  strengthens

•  Antonyms : 

•  debilitates,

•  enervates,

•  enfeebles,

•  weakens

2: to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure;

  * e.g., " ... hiking every morning through snow and ice toughened him considerably "

•  Synonyms : 

•  fortifies,

•  hardens,

•  indurates,

•  inures,

•  seasons,

•  steels,

•  strengthens

•  Antonyms : 

•  softens

3: to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe;

  * e.g., " ... attempts to toughen conditions under which waivers from military service would be permitted "

•  Synonyms : 

•  hardens,

•  harshens,

•  stiffens,

•  strengthens

•  Antonyms : 

•  ameliorates,

•  eases

1: to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force;

  * e.g., " ... weight lifting will help toughen those flabby muscles of yours "

•  Synonyms : 

•  beef (up),

•  fortify,

•  harden,

•  strengthen

•  Antonyms : 

•  debilitate,

•  enervate,

•  enfeeble,

•  weaken

2: to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure;

  * e.g., " ... hiking every morning through snow and ice toughened him considerably "

•  Synonyms : 

•  fortify,

•  harden,

•  indurate,

•  inure,

•  season,

•  steel,

•  strengthen

•  Antonyms : 

•  soften

3: to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe;

  * e.g., " ... attempts to toughen conditions under which waivers from military service would be permitted "

•  Synonyms : 

•  harden,

•  harshen,

•  stiffen,

•  strengthen

•  Antonyms : 

•  ameliorate,

•  ease