hardened
Set like concrete
Hardened describes something that has become hard or harder, literally or figuratively.
Steel is hardened through heat treatment.
A hardened criminal has become callous through repeated offenses—no longer affected by consequences or moral appeals.
Hardened arteries have stiffened with plaque.
Someone hardened by experience has grown tough or unsympathetic: Years of rejection had hardened her.
Made firm, not fluid
calcified · congealed · petrified · ossified · crystallized · coagulated · cemented · cured
Adapted through habit
- inuredAccustomed through experience
- seasonedFlavored or battle-tested
- desensitizedMade unresponsive through overexposure
- acclimatizedAdjusted to new conditions
habituated · adapted · trained · veteran · experienced · battle-tested · acclimated · adjusted
Strengthened through heat treatment
- annealedHeat-softened then cooled
- quenchedSatisfied a craving
- heat-treatedThermally processed for strength
- forgedMade by smithing, or faked
alloyed · carburized · normalized · carbide · tungsten · chromium
Able to recover quickly
- durableAble to withstand use
- sturdySolidly built, durable
- robustStrong and durable
- strongHaving great physical power
reinforced · fortified · rugged · strengthened · solid · unbreakable · impervious · armored
Dulled by overindulgence
- disillusionedFreed from false beliefs
- skepticalInclined to question claims
- distrustfulLacking faith in others
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
world-weary · disenchanted · pessimistic · suspicious · wary · embittered · soured · mistrustful
Without compassion or emotion
- insensitiveUnaware of others' emotions
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
- unsympatheticWithout pity or understanding
- coldLow temperature state
merciless · pitiless · stony · unemotional · indifferent · numb · apathetic · obdurate
Habitual criminal returner
- incorrigibleImpossible to reform
- irredeemableImpossible to reform
- unrepentantFeeling no remorse
- habitualDone by routine
career · professional · seasoned · veteran · notorious · dangerous · violent · remorseless
solidified
Made firm, not fluid
stiffened · calcified · congealed · petrified · ossified · crystallized · coagulated · cemented · cured · dried
accustomed
Adapted through habit
- inuredAccustomed through experience
- seasonedFlavored or battle-tested
- desensitizedMade unresponsive through overexposure
acclimatized · habituated · adapted · trained · veteran · experienced · battle-tested · acclimated · adjusted · tempered
tempered
Strengthened through heat treatment
- annealedHeat-softened then cooled
- quenchedSatisfied a craving
- heat-treatedThermally processed for strength
forged · alloyed · carburized · normalized · carbide · tungsten · chromium
resilient
Able to recover quickly
strong · reinforced · fortified · rugged · strengthened · solid · unbreakable · impervious · armored · ironclad
jaded
Dulled by overindulgence
- disillusionedFreed from false beliefs
- skepticalInclined to question claims
- distrustfulLacking faith in others
bitter · world-weary · disenchanted · pessimistic · suspicious · wary · embittered · soured · mistrustful · guarded
unfeeling
Without compassion or emotion
- insensitiveUnaware of others' emotions
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
- unsympatheticWithout pity or understanding
cold · merciless · pitiless · stony · unemotional · indifferent · numb · apathetic · obdurate · uncompassionate
recidivist
Habitual criminal returner
- incorrigibleImpossible to reform
- irredeemableImpossible to reform
- unrepentantFeeling no remorse
habitual · career · professional · seasoned · veteran · notorious · dangerous · violent · remorseless · calculating
- hardenedsolidified, petrified, fossilized, calcified, mineralized
- cold-heartedcallous, cold, cold-blooded, cold-hearted, cruel
- ruggedheavy-duty, toughness, reinforced, durability, roughness
- Hard Thingsrock, stone, diamond, iron, metal
- protectedprotected, shielded, guarded, secured, safe
- tough exteriorsarmadillo, crocodile, alligator, tortoise, turtle
hardenedcompassionate
Showing concern for sufferers
tender · sympathetic · kind · sensitive · feeling
- hardened steelHeat-treated ferrous alloy
- hardened heartEmotional numbness by choice
- hardened arteriesStiffened, plaque-clogged blood vessels
- hardened someone's heartMade emotionally impervious
- hardens someone's heartCauses emotional numbness
- case hardenedSurface-treated for durability