case-hardened
Hardened by experience
Case-hardened describes steel that has been treated to make its outer surface extremely hard while leaving the interior softer and more flexible.
The process creates durability without brittleness.
Figuratively, a case-hardened person has become tough or callous through experience: Years of rejection had left her case-hardened.
A case-hardened criminal is thoroughly unrepentant.
Thickened from wear
- unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
- desensitizedMade unresponsive through overexposure
- thick-skinnedResistant to criticism
- jadedDulled by overindulgence
cynical · world-weary · battle-scarred · unflinching · steely · unmoved · impervious · inured
Surface-hardening heat treatment
- nitridingNitrogen-based surface treatment
- quenchingRapid cooling process
- temperingControlled heating and cooling
- annealingHeat-softening of metals
wear-resistant · carbon · steel · alloy · furnace · toughness · corrosion-resistant · microstructure
Without visible emotion
- unflappableImpossible to disturb
- composedCalm and self-possessed
- resilientAble to recover quickly
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
equanimity · sangfroid · imperturbable · steadfast · self-possessed · disciplined · enduring · stoical
Made more resistant
- heavy-dutyBuilt for hard use
- ruggedTough and uneven
- robustStrong and durable
- hardwearingResistant to damage
industrial-strength · armored · fortified · indestructible · solid · tough · ruggedized · impact-resistant
calloused
Thickened from wear
- unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
- desensitizedMade unresponsive through overexposure
- thick-skinnedResistant to criticism
jaded · cynical · world-weary · battle-scarred · unflinching · steely · unmoved · impervious · inured · seasoned
carburizing
Surface-hardening heat treatment
- nitridingNitrogen-based surface treatment
- quenchingRapid cooling process
- temperingControlled heating and cooling
annealing · wear-resistant · carbon · steel · alloy · furnace · toughness · corrosion-resistant · microstructure · ductile
impassive
Without visible emotion
- unflappableImpossible to disturb
- composedCalm and self-possessed
- resilientAble to recover quickly
fortitude · equanimity · sangfroid · imperturbable · steadfast · self-possessed · disciplined · enduring · stoical · phlegmatic
reinforced
Made more resistant
- heavy-dutyBuilt for hard use
- ruggedTough and uneven
- robustStrong and durable
hardwearing · industrial-strength · armored · fortified · indestructible · solid · tough · ruggedized · impact-resistant · bulletproof
- hardenedsolidified, petrified, fossilized, calcified, mineralized
- wood statesdried, dry, wet, green, raw
- texturessmoothness, smooth, soft, rough, roughness
case-hardenedtender
Soft or sore
sensitive · soft-hearted · tender-hearted · naive · vulnerable