harshens

verb

present tense third-person singular of harshen
as in strengthens
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe recent changes to the drunk driving laws harshen penalties for repeat offenders

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshens
  1. strengthens
  2. stiffens
Verb
  • The standout ingredient in this formula is beta-glucan, which deeply hydrates skin and strengthens its barrier.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 13 Aug. 2026
  • When an El Niño strengthens, trade winds weaken and ocean temperatures warm near and to the east of Hawaii, Malte Stuecker, director of the University of Hawai'i at Manoa's International Pacific Research Center, previously told USA TODAY.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of strengthens
Verb
  • This remains soft during low-energy movement but stiffens upon high-impact force.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 27 July 2026
  • For seven-and-a-half years, Ladd had dealt with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease that stiffens and scars the lungs.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 24 June 2026
Definition of stiffens
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

harshening
harshens
harshly
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Cite this Entry

“Harshens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshens. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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