What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hardened
Example
After years of working in the emergency room, the nurse had become hardened to the sight of blood. [hardened: adjective]
Example
The metal was hardened through a process of heating and cooling. [hardened: verb]
Example
The hardened criminal showed no remorse for his actions. [hardened: adjective]
resistant
Example
The patient was resistant to the medication and did not show any improvement. [resistant: adjective]
Example
The coating on the pan is resistant to scratches and stains. [resistant: adjective]
Example
The employees were resistant to the new policy changes. [resistant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Resistant is more commonly used than hardened in everyday language. Resistant is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hardened is less common and often used in specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hardened and resistant?
Resistant is generally considered more formal than hardened, as it is often used in technical or scientific contexts.
