harshen

verb

harsh·​en ˈhär-shən 

harshened; harshening ˈhär-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

: to make (something, such as a voice) harsh

intransitive verb

: to become harsh

saw the grain of his skin harshening over face bones

—Elizabeth Bowen

Synonyms

• harden
• stiffen
• strengthen
• toughen

Examples of harshen in a Sentence

recent changes to the drunk driving laws harshen penalties for repeat offenders

Recent Examples on the Web

The mayor's new legislative effort will also seek to harshen penalties for firearms and ghost guns, officials said Monday. —Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 15 May 2023

Seven Memphis police officers were fired in the wake of Nichols' death, which sparked national uproar and harshened the spotlight on police brutality. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 4 May 2023

With the news of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s historic indictment of Donald Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up other crimes this April, the spotlight on the Justice Department has harshened. —Hannah Story Brown, The New Republic, 18 Apr. 2023

Arizona activists have renewed their focus and condemnation on a bill that would harshen penalties for various crimes committed during an unlawful assembly following the three guilty verdicts against former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. —Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2021

Unfortunately, the film only takes a cursory, superficial glance at this societal malady, as if a deeper dive would harshen the mellow of its romantic comedy. —Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2022

As time goes on, more voters could harshen their view of Biden, as all of these problems are under his tent now. —Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, 24 Feb. 2021

The impetus for the line came not just from the rise of the ingredient-conscious consumer, but also in response to the ever-harshening realities of modern life. —Rebecca Dancer, Allure, 13 Dec. 2019

Protests by tens of thousands before the election and on the eve of his inauguration lead to legislation harshening penalties for unauthorized political protests. —Fox News, 18 Mar. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for harshen

• darshan
• martian