as in to strengthen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
recent changes to the drunk driving laws harshen penalties for repeat offenders
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Recent Examples of harshen
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshen
Verb
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PSyn supports that work by helping health plans and employer groups strengthen benefit strategy through education, practical analysis, and operational guidance grounded in real-world pharmacy experience.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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Every morning, seahorses greet their other half by performing a rhythmic dance that can last minutes or even hours to strengthen their bond.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The luxury retailer, weighed down by debt, is under pressure as consumers shift their shopping habits and competition stiffens.—
Brian Womack,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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The Czech Republic’s new government will seek to transform the defense industry into an engine of the nation’s export economy as the flagship auto sector faces stiffening competition, a senior cabinet member said.—
Michal Kubala,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harshen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshen. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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