harden

hard|en [ `hardn ] verb *

1. ) intransitive or transitive to become hard or firm, or to make something hard or firm:

This additive hardens the cement in an hour.

The bread will harden if you don't cover it.

2. ) transitive MAINLY LITERARY to become less affected or upset by unpleasant things and to show less kindness or sympathy to other people:

Years of reporting on wars hardened them to human suffering.

a ) intransitive if your expression or voice hardens, you begin to look or sound unfriendly:

His eyes hardened when he saw her.

b ) harden your heart to make yourself stop caring or being affected by things

3. ) intransitive or transitive to become strong, to make someone or something strong:

The soldiers have been hardened by months in the field.

4. ) intransitive or transitive if you harden your attitude or if it hardens, you refuse to change it:

Their position is hardening.

Forsyth appeared to have hardened his line on (=his attitude toward) Europe.

╾ hard|en|ing noun singular or uncount:

She has hardening of the arteries.

a hardening of opinion against the treaty

─ opposite SOFTEN