Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To make something less fine, delicate, or refined in texture, quality, or character.
   • To make something rougher or more vulgar.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To become less fine, delicate, or refined.
   • To become rougher or more vulgar.

Usage

• Transitive verb: Used when an agent causes something to become coarse.
  • The constant exposure to harsh chemicals will coarsen the fabric.
  • Living in that environment seemed to coarsen his manners.
• Intransitive verb: Used when something undergoes the process of becoming coarse by itself.
  • Over the years, his voice began to coarsen.
  • The surface of the wood will coarsen if left untreated.

Examples

• Transitive use:
  • The factory process is designed to coarsen the grain of the leather for a more rugged look.
  • Years of manual labor had coarsened his hands.
  • Critics argued that the sensationalist media would coarsen public discourse.
• Intransitive use:
  • Her skin had coarsened from years of working in the sun.
  • As the debate continued, the language used by both sides began to coarsen.

Advanced Usage

• "coarsen one's ideals": To make one's principles or standards less noble or elevated.
  • The relentless pursuit of profit can coarsen a company's ideals.
• "Their minds coarsened": Their thoughts or sensibilities became less refined or more vulgar.
  • After years in that brutal profession, their minds coarsened, and they lost their empathy.

Variants and Related Words

• Coarse (adjective): Having a rough texture; lacking refinement; vulgar.
  • coarse sand, coarse language
• Coarseness (noun): The quality or state of being coarse.
  • the coarseness of the material, the coarseness of his humor

Synonyms

• Roughen: To make or become rough (often physically).
• Debase: To reduce in quality or value (often morally or culturally).
• Vulgarize: To make less refined or more common.

Antonyms

• Refine: To make more cultured, polished, or pure.
• Soften: To make less harsh or rough.
• Polish: To improve or refine.

Notes on Meaning

The verb coarsen can describe both a physical change (e.g., texture of skin, fabric) and a metaphorical change in character, behavior, or quality (e.g., speech, sensibilities). The intransitive form often implies a gradual process.

Verb

1. make less subtle or refined
   • coarsen one's ideals
2. make or become coarse or coarser
   • coarsen the surface
   • Their minds coarsened