as in strengthening
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 Synonyms for harshening
Verb
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The program delivers on the government’s Plan for Change, supporting economic growth through defense investment while strengthening national security.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Apr. 2026 -
That includes strengthening its internal culture, refining legal strategy, and maintaining clear standards around results and professional integrity.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The machine dryer agitates the clothing and prevents fibers from stiffening during drying, which is why clothing comes out feeling soft.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
23 Feb. 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, Karel Havlicek, minister for industry and trade, told us.—
Suzanne Lynch,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
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“Harshening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshening. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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