harden

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner le processus de devenir ou de rendre quelque chose dur, résistant ou stable, ainsi que pour indiquer une diminution de la sympathie ou un renforcement de la sévérité.

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.

   Durcir, se solidifier

   • 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.

   Synonymescakeclotcongealfreezesetsolidifystiffenthicken

   Antonymesdissolveliquefymeltsoften

2. Become tough or unfeelingB2formal

   To become more severe, strict, or less sympathetic.

   s'endurcir

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

   Synonymescallousdesensitizeindurateinuretoughen

   Antonymesmellowrelentsoften

3. Strengthen or reinforceB2formal

   To make something stronger or more resistant.

   Durcir, renforcer

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

   Synonymesannealfortifyreinforcesolidifysteelstiffenstrengthentempertoughen

   Antonymesdebilitatesoftenundermineweaken