# hardened

/ˈhɑɹdənd/ (US) · /hˈɑːdənd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hardened
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. desensitised to hardship

adjective · CEFR B2

used to something difficult or unpleasant so that it no longer affects you.

For teachers: having become accustomed or desensitised to unpleasant experiences through prolonged exposure.

- The hardened reporter didn't seem bothered by the chaos around him.
- After years working in the emergency department, she had become hardened to the sight of trauma, maintaining a professional distance that others found difficult.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'to'.

### 2. unlikely to change bad habits

adjective · CEFR B2

having a bad habit or way of life for so long that it is unlikely to change.

For teachers: firmly established in a specific behaviour or lifestyle, typically one viewed negatively by society.

- The police described the suspect as a hardened criminal with a long record.
- The judge noted that the defendant was a hardened offender who had shown no inclination toward rehabilitation despite numerous previous convictions.

### 3. fortified against attack

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

made stronger or more protected against an attack.

For teachers: reinforced or protected against physical or digital assault; highly fortified.

- The soldiers stayed inside a hardened bunker during the air raid.
- The facility was housed in a hardened underground complex designed to withstand a direct hit from conventional explosives.

Teaching tip: In modern contexts, this is frequently used in computing to describe software or servers that have been secured against hackers.

### 4. physically tough

adjective · CEFR B2

made very hard or solid.

For teachers: having been made physically hard, tough, or rigid through a specific process.

- The hardened clay was difficult to break even with a hammer.
- The workers applied a layer of hardened resin to the surface to ensure it would remain waterproof for several decades.

## Examples

- The hardened detective didn't react to the messy crime scene.
- After years of working in the emergency room, she had become hardened to the sight of serious injuries.
- Even the most hardened political analysts were surprised by the sudden shift in public opinion following the debate.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.