as in strengthens
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 harshens
Verb
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By opening international doors for both new and established filmmakers, the award strengthens Netflix’s support for the creative community and boosts the global reach of Brazilian storytelling.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025 -
Equity capital strengthens the balance sheet but does not count as revenue, which helps explain why Williams could raise substantial funds in the year yet still report a loss.—
Alex Harrington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the schedule stiffens up next week with the start of 4A South Metro League play as Heritage, Ponderosa and Dakota Ridge all loom in October.—
Matt Schubert,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
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In a similar way, a man who is defiant stiffens his neck, squares his shoulders, lowers his brows, and clenches his fists with his knuckles forward.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
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“Harshens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshens. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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