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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The bill also strengthens data collection and commercialization readiness requirements to improve accountability.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026 -
How genealogy data strengthens data broker profiles Here is where the situation becomes even more concerning.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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What began as breathlessness hardened into silicosis, an irreversible disease that stiffens the lungs until even ordinary movement becomes effort.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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The luxury retailer, weighed down by debt, is under pressure as consumers shift their shopping habits and competition stiffens.—
Brian Womack,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Harshens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshens. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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