Definitions
- Describing a physical reaction to fear or shock, where the body becomes rigid and tense. - Referring to a material that has become rigid and inflexible due to cold or age. - Talking about a person's resolve or determination becoming stronger and more unwavering.
- Referring to a physical process of making something stronger and more durable. - Describing a person's ability to withstand hardship or difficulty, becoming more resilient. - Talking about a person's character or attitude becoming more assertive and confident.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a change in state from a weaker to a stronger condition.
- 2Both can be used to describe physical materials or human characteristics.
- 3Both involve a process of becoming more resistant to external factors.
What is the difference?
- 1Process: Stiffening is often a sudden and involuntary reaction, while toughening is a deliberate and intentional process.
- 2Nature: Stiffening refers to becoming rigid and inflexible, while toughening refers to becoming stronger and more resilient.
- 3Purpose: Stiffening is often a response to fear or shock, while toughening is often a response to hardship or challenge.
- 4Scope: Stiffening is often limited to a specific part of the body or material, while toughening can refer to a broader range of physical or personal characteristics.
- 5Connotation: Stiffening can have negative connotations of being frozen or paralyzed, while toughening can have positive connotations of becoming stronger and more capable.
Remember this!
Stiffened and toughen both describe a change from a weaker to a stronger state, but they differ in their process, nature, purpose, scope, and connotation. Stiffening is often a sudden and involuntary reaction to fear or shock, resulting in rigidity and inflexibility. Toughening is a deliberate and intentional process of becoming stronger and more resilient in response to hardship or challenge.
