harshening

present participle of harshen
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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshening
Verb
  • Yes, rucking can improve posture by strengthening the upper back, shoulders and core muscles that hold your spine upright.
    Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
  • Machine learning systems can identify suspicious patterns and behavioral anomalies in real time, strengthening both fraud prevention and member protection.
    Ravi Gedela, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Major media companies operating traditional linear networks have been under pressure in recent years amid stiffening competition from large tech rivals as programming migrates to streaming.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 June 2026
  • Volkswagen’s premium Audi brand has lost much of its luster in recent years, dragged down by trade tariffs, stiffening competition and a patchy electric-vehicle roster.
    William Wilkes, Bloomberg, 8 June 2026
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Cite this Entry

“Harshening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshening. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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