HARSHEN Synonyms: 9 Similar and Opposite Words

harshen

verb

ˈhär-shən

Definition of harshen

as in to strengthen

to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe recent changes to the drunk driving laws harshen penalties for repeat offenders

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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.

Recent Examples of harshen The mayor's new legislative effort will also seek to harshen penalties for firearms and ghost guns, officials said Monday. — Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 15 May 2023 Seven Memphis police officers were fired in the wake of Nichols' death, which sparked national uproar and harshened the spotlight on police brutality. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 4 May 2023 Unfortunately, the film only takes a cursory, superficial glance at this societal malady, as if a deeper dive would harshen the mellow of its romantic comedy. — Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2022 As time goes on, more voters could harshen their view of Biden, as all of these problems are under his tent now. — Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, 24 Feb. 2021 The impetus for the line came not just from the rise of the ingredient-conscious consumer, but also in response to the ever-harshening realities of modern life. — Rebecca Dancer, Allure, 13 Dec. 2019 Protests by tens of thousands before the election and on the eve of his inauguration lead to legislation harshening penalties for unauthorized political protests. — Fox News, 18 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshen

Verb

Designed for limp, oily, and dull hair, the color-safe formula washes away stubborn dirt and grime—common culprits of flat waves—while a lineup of amino acids work to soften and strengthen strands.

— Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
If superconductivity in magic-angle graphene were primarily driven by phonons, or vibrations of the atomic lattice, weakening Coulomb interactions would be expected to leave the effect largely unchanged or even strengthen it slightly.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of strengthen

Verb

Bile rose in Evie’s throat and her body stiffened under his touch.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Offering a 35% incentive aimed at stiffening up jobs here and enticing post-production to relocate to the Golden State, AB 2319 is racing toward a vote in the state Senate by next week once the bill is in final shape.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of stiffen

Browse Nearby Words

harsh

harshen

harshened

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“Harshen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshen. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of harshen

verb

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