harshens
Becomes more severe
Harshens means makes or becomes harsher—more severe, rough, or unpleasant.
A voice harshens with anger or age.
Winter harshens the landscape.
Her tone harshened when she realized he was lying.
The word is uncommon; most speakers prefer "grows harsh" or "becomes harsher."
Increases strength or volume
- escalatesIncreases in intensity
- heightensIncreases in degree
- worsensBecomes less favorable
- exacerbatesMakes more severe
aggravates · sharpens · deepens · strengthens · compounds · magnifies · roughens · coarsens
Makes less smooth
- coarsensBecomes less refined
- abradesWears away by friction
- chafesIrritates by friction
- weathersSurvives through hardship
erodes · dries · cracks · irritates · rasps · grates · scours · scrapes
Becomes less favorable
- toughensBecomes more resistant
- stiffensBecomes less pliable
- tightensMakes less loose
- rigidifiesBecomes stiff or inflexible
brutalizes · intensifies · compounds · aggravates · deteriorates · degrades
amplifies
Increases strength or volume
exacerbates · aggravates · sharpens · deepens · strengthens · compounds · magnifies · roughens · coarsens · toughens
roughens
Makes less smooth
weathers · erodes · dries · cracks · irritates · rasps · grates · scours · scrapes · chaps
worsens
Becomes less favorable
rigidifies · brutalizes · intensifies · compounds · aggravates · deteriorates · degrades
sharpens
Makes cutting edge keener
cools · chills · darkens · sobers · tightens · clipped · curt · brusque · snaps · bristles