harsh

Examples

• All

• Flash produces flat images and harsh shadows, especially if the subject is close to a light wall.

  Academic text (2000)

• You know, and it sounds harsh, but I have a question.

• Now this light's gonna be really harsh on camera.

  Sing Street (2016)

• Yes, the medicine is harsh, but the patient requires it in order to live.

  The Iron Lady (2011)

• The light was very harsh, and we were shooting into the sun.

  Academic text (2001)

• That is really harsh and I'm so sorry for your loss.

• The Versailles Treaty, signed in June, imposes harsh terms on Germany.

• Insulation and heat exchangers are used to protect the instruments from the harsh temperature extremes of space.

  Academic text (1990)

• His nerves still jangled from the dream that the harsh mechanical alarm clock had dispelled.

  Fiction book (1991)

• The harsh wind made it difficult to walk outside without a coat.

Synonyms

R

rough

vsharsh

543 3.0

Hard and severe, causing problems or danger

is about unpleasant sensation to the senses rather than social hardship

B

brutal

vsharsh

142 4.2

Very harsh and severe, causing great difficulty or pain

focuses on unpleasant sensory jarring rather than sheer severity of conditions

S

severe

vsharsh

68 4.2

Very strict and harsh when judging or punishing people

relates to sensory unpleasantness rather than formal strictness

S

sharp

vsharsh

46 4.2

Harsh critical words or actions that hurt others

means unpleasantly rough to the senses rather than a cutting personal attack

R

raw

vsharsh

45 6.3

Harsh and unfair treatment that hurts people

focuses on sensory unpleasant roughness rather than moral unfairness

B

bitter

vsharsh

45 2.7

Causing a sharp, painful feeling from cold weather

is general unpleasantness across the senses, not only stinging feelings

R

raucous

vsharsh

31 7.1

Making a loud, rough, and unpleasant sound that hurts your ears

is any unpleasant sensory quality beyond loudness

A

abrasive

vsharsh

18 6.5

Showing little concern for other people's feelings

refers to unpleasant sensory roughness rather than a rude manner

U

unsparing

vsharsh

2 7.9

Very harsh and not forgiving when criticizing or acting

refers to unpleasant sensory roughness rather than cruel behavior

H

harsh-voiced

vsharsh

6.8

A voice or sound that is rough and unpleasant

is generally unpleasantly rough to the senses

S

scalding

vsharsh

4.8

Very harsh and sharply critical, for example in a review

is about unpleasant sensory roughness rather than only severe criticism

Antonyms

P

pleasant

314 1.0

Giving a gentle feeling of enjoyment

S

smooth

256 1.0

A surface that is even and not rough

Compounds

H

harsh reality

11 4.4

A difficult truth you must accept

H

harsh winter

• UK

5 3.0

A very cold winter that causes damage and problems

H

harsh criticism

4 4.2

Very strong negative comments that show disapproval

H

harsh judgment

3 3.9

Strong negative opinion that is unkind or too strict

H

harsh roast

• Informal

7.9

A strong mocking criticism of someone's words or actions

H

harsh-voiced

6.8

A voice or sound that is rough and unpleasant

S

stabbingly harsh

• Literature

9.4

Very sharp and unpleasant in a way that causes strong pain or shock

How Harsh

piercing

2 5.5

harsh

47 3.9

grating

1 6.2

mild

107 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology