v. Function: verb
1 to make or become physically hard or solid FF1C; this substance hardens immediately on exposure to air FF1E;
Synonyms: cake, concrete, congeal, dry, indurate, set, solidify
Related Words: compact, consolidate, densify, firm, stiffen; anneal, caseharden, temper; calcify, fossilize, lithify, ossify, petrify
Contrasted Words: deliquesce, dissolve, fuse, liquefy, melt
Antonyms: soften
2 to make proof against hardship, strain, or exposure FF1C; frontier life hardened most men quickly to rough conditions FF1E;
Synonyms: acclimate, acclimatize, climatize, season, toughen
Related Words: accustom, habituate, indurate, inure; accommodate, adapt, adjust, conform
Contrasted Words: emasculate, enervate; debilitate, devitalize, enfeeble, sap, undermine, weaken
Antonyms: soften