Reduce tenderness, making one thug worried (7)

I believe the answer is:

toughen

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'reduce tenderness' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'one thug worried' is the wordplay.
'worried' indicates anagramming the letters.
'one'+'thug'='onethug'
'onethug' is an anagram of 'TOUGHEN'.

'making' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for toughen that I've seen before include "Fortify" , "Make harder" , "Make more hardy or durable" , "Make strong and durable" , "Make more resilient" .)

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