harsh judgment
- noun
- Think of Nick Carraway's harsh judgment of Daisy Buchanan and the illusions Gatsby has fabricated around her.
Examples
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The struggle can be all-consuming and extremely costly, leading to harsh judgment from family, friends, the community, and the church, and the loss of valuable relationships.
Blog text (15) -
Beauty is truth, but Dean Hansen's harsh judgment against President Franklin effectively negated all possibility of truth being beauty.
Fiction book (2002) -
I have received harsh judgment and criticism for my choices.
Blog text (5) -
My most debilitating fear is probably the fear of other people's harsh judgment.
Blog text (12) -
The subsequent report, written by regional NES officer George Wallach, passed harsh judgment on the men involved.
Academic text (1991) -
Wow, so much harsh judgment and finger wagging from people who haven't seen the movie.
Blog text (31) -
This type of harsh judgment underscores the tension inherent in serving two organizations simultaneously.
Academic text (2008) -
Thus, Kelley’s harsh judgment of Bishop England as a "good man who failed to be great" is noted.
Academic text (2004) -
Montessori reserves a particularly harsh judgment for authoritarian parents bent on replicating themselves in their children.
Academic text (1992) -
The teacher's report contained a harsh judgment of the student's performance, highlighting many areas for improvement.
Synonyms
A strong statement saying someone or something is wrong
Very strong negative comments that show disapproval
Severe criticism or punishment using harsh words
A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong
A strong moral disapproval from other people
A strong criticism of a person or action
Very harsh comments that make someone feel hurt
A very harsh and angry comment meant to hurt someone
A strong mocking criticism of someone's words or actions
An opinion or decision that says something is not good
Antonyms
How Harsh
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'severe criticism or condemnation' is a direct combination of 'harsh' (severe or unkind) modifying 'judgment' (an assessed opinion), so a learner who knows both words can reliably infer the phrase meaning. This adjective+noun compositional pattern is common and cross-linguistically transparent, making it immediately understandable to a B1 learner.
Etymology
The phrase harsh judgment gives the image of a stern judge making a very strict decision. Because harsh means very strict or severe and judgment means a decision or criticism, the phrase now means 'severe criticism'.