Coarsen

To become or make rougher in texture, appearance, or quality; to lose refinement. This transformation can apply to a variety of things, including physical surfaces, sounds, manners, and even the quality of thinking or feeling. It suggests a degradation, a loss of delicacy, or a shift toward a more basic or unrefined state. The process often implies a diminishment of aesthetic appeal or emotional sensitivity. The change can occur naturally over time or be brought about by external forces. Essentially, 'coarsen' describes a process of simplification or a descent from a more polished or delicate state to a less intricate or subtle one.

Coarsen meaning with examples

• Over time, exposure to the harsh desert sun and wind began to coarsen the delicate skin of the ancient carvings, eroding the intricate details and leaving them with a rougher appearance. The sculptor noticed how the stone weathered.
• The constant screaming and rock music seemed to coarsen the atmosphere. His vocal chords became raspy, and the sound seemed to vibrate the air around him, creating a less comfortable situation in the music hall.
• Repeated setbacks and harsh criticisms began to coarsen her initial optimism, leaving her with a more cynical and guarded perspective on the world and those around her.
• After years of neglect, the once smooth and polished wood of the antique table started to coarsen, developing splinters and a rougher texture that diminished its value and visual appeal.
• The comedian's jokes, initially witty and clever, began to coarsen over time, incorporating more crude and offensive material to try and maintain audience interest, a mistake he later lamented.