to harsh on

Examples

• All

• I think maybe people were too harsh on her, but I understand, I understand where where they were coming from.

• Perhaps I have been a bit harsh on our new garbage boy.

  Ratatouille (2007)

• Of course, he was being a bit harsh on himself, but his last book?

• I was too harsh on him.

  Double Eagle Ranch (2018)

• Maybe you were a little harsh on him.

  Fiction book (2000)

• I think you are being a bit harsh on her.

  Blog text (26)

• People are especially harsh on others whose achievement level is the same as their own.

• But I'm less harsh on myself as an individual in that way.

• However, don't be so harsh on me.

  Lone Wolves (2024)

• Don't be too harsh on your brother; he's just trying his best.

Synonyms

G

to give someone a hard time

vsto harsh on

• Informal

90 3.9

Make someone feel bad by criticizing or teasing them

is harsher in single acts but also includes severe unkind treatment

T

to trash

vsto harsh on

• Offensive

70 5.8

To say very bad things about someone or something

is equally severe but does not imply unfairness or bias

G

to give someone hell

vsto harsh on

• Informal

37 8.1

To scold someone very strongly for something they did

is similar but also includes unkind treatment beyond scolding

R

to rebuke

vsto harsh on

• Formal

26 6.9

To tell someone firmly that you do not approve of their actions

is harsher in tone and can include cruel treatment as well

C

to castigate

vsto harsh on

• Formal

14 8.8

To criticize or punish someone very harshly

is similarly severe but also covers unkind treatment as well

L

to let someone have it

vsto harsh on

• Informal

11 8.1

To angrily tell someone off

is equally forceful but also covers being unkind in actions

G

to give someone the business

vsto harsh on

• Informal

5 8.3

Tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

is similar but also covers harsh physical or ongoing mistreatment

R

to rake over the coals

vsto harsh on

• Informal

4 7.9

Scold someone very strongly for a mistake

is as harsh but may include cruel treatment, not only verbal fault

U

to upbraid

vsto harsh on

• Formal

3 8.8

To scold someone strongly for something they did wrong

is similar but also includes unkind treatment beyond scolding

G

to give hell

vsto harsh on

• Informal

1 8.1

To scold or punish someone angrily for something they did wrong

is equally severe but can refer to broader unkind actions too

S

to scald

vsto harsh on

1 8.1

To criticize someone or something very harshly

is similar but can also mean treating someone unkindly beyond words

V

to vituperate

vsto harsh on

• Offensive

9.9

To criticize someone angrily using harsh words

is equally harsh but also includes cruel treatment beyond speech

R

to read to filth

vsto harsh on

• Offensive

9.9

Strongly insult someone in front of others to embarrass them

is equally harsh but may also involve cruel nonverbal treatment

I

to ill-treat

vsto harsh on

• NSFW

5.2

Behave towards a person or animal in a cruel, unfair way

is similar but emphasises severe unkind action rather than only words

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology