hardened

• Beschreibt jemanden oder etwas, das durch Erfahrung oder Einwirkung hart, stark oder weniger empfindlich geworden ist; auch materiell verfestigt oder abgehärtet.

Describes someone or something that has become tough, strong, or less sensitive through experience or exposure.

1. Made hard or solidB1formal

   Having become hard or firm, often through a process like drying, cooling, or chemical change.

   Gehärtet

   • The concrete hardened overnight.
   • The hardened clay was used to make pottery.
   • The glue had hardened into a solid mass.

   Synonymebakedcrustedcureddriedfrozenrigidsetsolidifiedstiff

   Antonymeflexiblemalleablepliablesoftsoftened

2. Experienced and toughB2formal

   Having become tough, experienced, or less sensitive, especially through difficult experiences.

   Abgehärtet

   • He is a hardened veteran of many wars.
   • She became hardened to the criticism over time.
   • The hardened detective had seen it all before.

   Synonymecase-hardenedexperiencedinuredseasonedtoughened

   Antonymeinnocentnaivesensitivesofttenderweak

3. Unrepentant or confirmedB2formal

   Firmly established in a particular, often negative, habit or state.

   Eingefleischt

   • He is a hardened criminal with a long record.
   • She is a hardened cynic who trusts no one.
   • The hardened smoker found it impossible to quit.

   Synonymechronicconfirmedhabitualimpenitentincorrigibleinveterateunrepentant

   Antonymecontritepenitentrepentantsofthearted

• Verb, das den Prozess bezeichnet, fest, hart oder widerstandsfähig zu werden oder etwas so zu machen; auch im übertragenen Sinne für das Abnehmen von Mitgefühl oder das Strengerwerden.

A verb used to indicate the process of becoming or making something hard, solid, or resistant, or of becoming less sympathetic or more severe.

1. Become solid or firmB1formal

   To become physically hard or solid, or to make something become hard.

   Hart werden

   • The cement will harden within a few hours.
   • Allow the glue to harden before moving the pieces.
   • The lava hardened into rock as it cooled.

   Synonymecakeclotcongealfreezesetsolidifystiffenthicken

   Antonymedissolveliquefymeltsoften

2. Become tough or unfeelingB2formal

   To become more severe, strict, or less sympathetic.

   Hart werden

   • Years of disappointment hardened his heart.
   • The government hardened its stance on immigration.
   • She hardened herself against the criticism.

   Synonymecallousdesensitizeindurateinuretoughen

   Antonymemellowrelentsoften

3. Strengthen or reinforceB2formal

   To make something stronger or more resistant.

   Stärken

   • The company hardened its security protocols after the breach.
   • Regular exercise hardens the muscles.
   • They hardened the steel to make it more durable.

   Synonymeannealfortifyreinforcesolidifysteelstiffenstrengthentempertoughen

   Antonymedebilitatesoftenundermineweaken