hardened

• 形容某人或某物因经历或外部作用而变得坚硬、坚强、冷酷或麻木。

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.

   硬化的

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

   同义词bakedcrustedcureddriedfrozenrigidsetsolidifiedstiff

   反义词flexiblemalleablepliablesoftsoftened

2. Experienced and toughB2formal

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

   坚韧

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

   同义词case-hardenedexperiencedinuredseasonedtoughened

   反义词innocentnaivesensitivesofttenderweak

3. Unrepentant or confirmedB2formal

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

   顽固的

   • 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.

   同义词chronicconfirmedhabitualimpenitentincorrigibleinveterateunrepentant

   反义词contritepenitentrepentantsofthearted

• 动词，表示使某物变硬、变坚固或更稳定，也指变得无情、严厉或更坚定。

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.

   变硬

   • 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.

   同义词cakeclotcongealfreezesetsolidifystiffenthicken

   反义词dissolveliquefymeltsoften

2. Become tough or unfeelingB2formal

   To become more severe, strict, or less sympathetic.

   变得冷酷

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

   同义词callousdesensitizeindurateinuretoughen

   反义词mellowrelentsoften

3. Strengthen or reinforceB2formal

   To make something stronger or more resistant.

   加强

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

   同义词annealfortifyreinforcesolidifysteelstiffenstrengthentempertoughen

   反义词debilitatesoftenundermineweaken