Sleet-hardened

Describes a surface, object, or person that has become tough, resistant, or inflexible due to exposure to sleet. The sleet, by repeatedly freezing and melting, or by forming a layer of ice, creates a condition where something becomes rigid, less yielding, and able to withstand further adverse conditions. This term often carries a connotation of resilience, indicating something that has endured and adapted to harsh environmental conditions, making it particularly suitable for objects and environments, but can also be used with people.

Sleet-hardened meaning with examples

• The mountain trail, sleet-hardened after a week of storms, presented a treacherous path for hikers, requiring crampons and ice axes for safe passage. The once muddy ground was now a sheet of icy rock. Navigating the sleet-hardened terrain demanded extreme caution. The climbers knew one wrong step could lead to disaster, so each movement was slow and deliberate in a scene of stark beauty.
• The farmer's weathered hands, sleet-hardened from years of working outdoors in harsh conditions, expertly guided the plow through the frozen soil. Despite the elements, he had an unbreakable will. His hands, the evidence of countless winters, were like seasoned tools. The sleet-hardened hands spoke volumes about his dedication to the land.
• The metal siding of the abandoned cabin, sleet-hardened over decades of exposure to the elements, showed no signs of yielding to further decay, a monument to its past. Its rusted exterior was a testament to survival. The building stood as a testament to time. The sleet had made the building resistant. It stood in defiance of the ravages of time.
• The explorer’s determination, sleet-hardened by months of relentless challenges, fueled her as she approached the summit. The storm did nothing to slow her. The ice seemed to strengthen her. She showed no signs of stopping. The sleet was the perfect test. She knew she would make it, her resolve like the mountains.
• The sleet-hardened surface of the lake, frozen solid by a prolonged cold snap, provided a temporary, if precarious, pathway across the water. Walking across it was a death defying exercise. The ice made a very strong base. The lake had a different character. The weather would determine how long it would last.