Harshen

To make or become harsher, more severe, or unpleasant. This can apply to various contexts, including sounds, textures, expressions, emotions, conditions, and relationships. It implies a decrease in gentleness, smoothness, or agreeableness. The process often involves an intensification of negative qualities, leading to a more forceful or unpleasant experience. When something harshens, its characteristics evolve towards a less desirable state. Think of it as an escalation of existing negatives rather than a complete transformation into something entirely different.

Harshen meaning with examples

• The biting winter wind began to harshen as the blizzard intensified, whipping snow against the exposed faces of the travelers and making their journey increasingly difficult. They struggled to maintain forward momentum against the violent gusts. Visibility was severely limited and the relentless cold began to set in, causing pain.
• The constant criticism from her supervisor caused her previously optimistic attitude to slowly harshen. She found herself becoming more cynical and withdrawn, with the joyous anticipation of work replaced by increasing dread and a feeling of being worn down by the unhelpful feedback she got.
• As the negotiations stalled and the tension mounted, the negotiator's tone began to harshen. His voice, once calm and measured, became more abrupt and demanding, reflecting the escalating frustration and the widening gap between the two sides. The potential of agreement seemed to diminish.
• The aging process caused the once supple leather of the antique chair to harshen. Its surface became more rigid and less comfortable, losing the soft, yielding feel that had been so appealing during its younger state. Cracks began to appear, betraying its inevitable deterioration.