Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In her recent New York Times article about the "coarsening" of the religious right, Ruth Graham alluded to this, writing about the trend of evangelical leaders using "vulgarities."

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2024

This is called arrested coarsening behavior and was an unexpected result.

From Science Daily • Sep. 20, 2023

For Miller, two elements warrant particularly close study: the size and quantity of logs on the beach and the coarsening of its sand and gravel, both of which provide vital environmental clues.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2023

“Bullying and intimidating behavior is not only coarsening discussion but having a chilling effect,” Korinke observed.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 7, 2022

Now he was used to such things, a roadside commonplace, but back then, before the coarsening and general numbness, when it was a novelty and when everything was new, he felt it sharply.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan