as in strengthened
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 harshened
Verb
-
The ruling strengthened the regional government’s position in a dispute that has fueled weeks of protests ahead of next month’s assembly elections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026 -
The network has been expanded, strengthened, and stress-tested so police, fire, EMS, and federal agencies can communicate if an emergency occurs.—
Edward F. Davis,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
His eyes locked to the right, his tiny body stiffened and his face turned red.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
-
There was a sudden spring shower, which stiffened into rain.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Harshened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshened. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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