Pronunciation: [hˈɑːʃən] (IPA) 
The word "harshen" is spelled with a "sh" sound instead of a "ch" sound, despite the presence of the letter "ch." This is because the "ch" in "harshen" is pronounced as /ʃ/, which is the voiceless postalveolar fricative sound, rather than the /tʃ/ sound, which is the voiceless palatal affricate sound often associated with the letter combination "ch." The IPA phonetic transcription of "harshen" is /ˈhɑrʃən/.
The term "harshen" refers to the action or process of becoming or making something harsh, severe, or rigorous. It is a verb that describes the act of intensifying or increasing the severity, intensity, or strictness of a situation, action, or condition.
When applied to emotions or tone, "harshen" suggests a transformation from mild or lenient to more severe, critical, or abrasive. For instance, a friendly conversation can "harshen" when one party becomes more confrontational or sharp in their remarks.
In the context of rules, regulations, or policies, "harshen" implies the act of making them stricter or more stringent. This can involve implementing more severe punishments, adding more restrictions, or tightening existing measures. For example, a government might "harshen" its immigration laws to make entry requirements more difficult to meet.
Furthermore, "harshen" can be employed in relation to physical sensations or environmental conditions. It signifies the process of intensifying or worsening the severity or discomfort of something. For instance, weather conditions can "harshen" as they become more extreme, with intensifying storms, colder temperatures, or stronger winds.
Overall, "harshen" envelops the idea of making something more severe, intense, or rigorous, whether it be emotions, rules, conditions, or sensations. It characterizes an escalation in severity or strictness, amplifying the degree of challenge, punishment, or hardship.
The word "harshen" has its origins in the Old English word "heorcnian", which meant "to make harsh" or "to harden". This Old English word derived from the Proto-Germanic root "*harkōną", which had a similar meaning. Over time, the word evolved into "harsen" in Middle English and eventually became "harshen" in Modern English. The term primarily refers to making something harsh or severe in nature or tone.
