Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make harsh or harsher: To cause something to become more severe, rough, unpleasant, or unkind in quality, appearance, or sound.

Usage

The verb "harshen" is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It describes the action of causing a change in state, making something more harsh. It is often used in formal or descriptive contexts.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The relentless wind and cold harshened the landscape.
  • Years of worry had harshened her voice.
  • The new policy will harshen the penalties for violations.

Advanced Usage

• Causative Use: "Harshen" explicitly denotes causing a change. It focuses on the agent or force that creates the increased harshness.
  • The director's criticism served to harshen the actor's self-doubt.

Variants and Related Words

• Harsh (adj): Unpleasantly rough, severe, or cruel.
  • The harsh winter.
• Harshly (adv): In a harsh manner.
  • He spoke harshly.
• Harshness (n): The quality of being harsh.
  • The harshness of the conditions.

Synonyms

• Coarsen: To make rough or crude.
• Toughen: To make stronger or more resilient, often implying increased severity.
• Aggravate: To make a problem or situation worse or more serious.

Antonyms

• Soften: To make less severe or more gentle.
• Mellow: To make or become softer or more relaxed.
• Smooth: To make even or less harsh.

Verb

1. make harsh or harsher
   • Winter harshened the look of the city