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
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The storm has strengthened into the equivalent of a Category 4 Hurricane and is expected to hit central Vietnam Thursday night — an area that hasn’t yet recovered from disastrous flash flooding and landslides caused by weeks of record rainfall and successive storms.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025 -
Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch has said several operations already underway in Michoacán, including arresting those involved in organized crime, would be strengthened.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But Vance Joseph's unit adjusted and stiffened quickly, shouldering the entire weight of a football game.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
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Drew stiffened as Theo Wiggins headed his way.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Harshened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshened. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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