What does harshen mean?
Harshen is a verb meaning to make something harsher, more severe, or more difficult to endure; it can also mean to become harsh itself. The word is especially associated with language, attitudes, penalties, conditions, and other situations in which severity increases. Someone may harshen a tone, a critic may harshen the language used to describe a policy, or economic hardship may cause living conditions to harshen. Harshen carries a distinctly negative implication: the action makes an experience, response, or environment less tolerant, gentler, or comfortable. It is relatively uncommon in neutral everyday speech, where phrases such as make harsher, intensify, or worsen are often preferred. Nevertheless, it is useful because it gives a concise verbal label to the process of becoming or making something more severe. The word belongs chiefly to formal and journalistic English, though its meaning is readily understood in both British and American usage.
verbTo make something more harsh, severe, or unpleasant; also, intransitively, to become harsh or more severe.
- To make something harsher, more severe, or more unpleasant.
- To become harsh or more severe.
"The editor's decision to harshen the criticism of the policy was widely condemned."
"The proposed amendment would harshen penalties for repeat offenders."
"Relations between the two departments worsened as the dispute became increasingly harsh."
From an adjective to an action: harshen captures the moment a measured tone turns harsh.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of harshen
The English verb was formed in the 19th century by adding the suffix -en to harsh. Harsh descends from Old English harsk, meaning coarse, rough, or hard, and ultimately belongs to Germanic vocabulary; cognate forms occur in languages including Dutch and German. The verb has remained less common than the more explicit expression make harsher.
Related word forms
How harshen is actually used
Harshen is most often transitive, taking an object such as a tone, penalty, measure, or condition. Its intransitive use is possible but less common. In everyday prose, make harsher or worsen will often sound more natural.
Easily confused with harshen
Harden means to make or become hard or firm, whereas harshen means to make or become harsh, severe, or unpleasant.