TOUGHEN

[verb] [T]The UN has announced its intentions to toughen sanctions still further.The government wants to toughen (up) existing drug laws/controls/restrictions.Car windows are usually made from toughened glass (= glass that has been made stronger).The time he spent in the army certainly toughened him up (= made him stronger and better able to deal with difficult situations). [M]Be careful not to toughen (= make difficult to cut and eat) the chicken by overcooking it.