jyrkkistyivät

The Finnish word "jyrkkistyivät" is the past tense plural form of the verb "jyrkistyä". "Jyrkistyä" itself means to become steeper, to sharpen, or to intensify. Therefore, "jyrkkistyivät" translates to "they became steeper," "they sharpened," or "they intensified."

The specific meaning in context depends on what "they" refers to. For instance, if discussing geographical features, "jyrkkistyivät" could describe slopes or inclines that became more precipitous. In a more abstract sense, it might refer to emotions or situations that grew more severe or intense. It can also be used to describe changes in the sharpness of an object or a sound. The verb implies a process of change, where something transitioned to a steeper, sharper, or more intense state. The plural form indicates that multiple entities underwent this transformation. Understanding the preceding sentence or context is crucial for a precise interpretation of "jyrkkistyivät."