harshness
2
3.5
- noun
- /ˈhɑːrʃnəs/
- When Lois spoke again, Constance was taken aback by the harshness of her voice.
- the harshness of his voice
- the harshness in the tone
- slight harshness
Examples
-
Cummings's critique was unprecedented in its harshness, but not in terms of the problems identified.
Academic text (2005) -
The harshness of the winter wind made it difficult to go outside.
-
These questions are starting to be put with a harshness unprecedented in CARL.
Academic text (1995) -
"Why did you come?" Jowa asked again, but this time the harshness had left his voice.
Fiction book (2002) -
But it wasn't the harshness of the note that had upset her.
Fiction book (1991) -
Our heads were full of images and new understanding of the beauty and harshness of a wolf's life.
Blog text (26) -
I can see that Kit looks puzzled by the harshness of my tone.
Fiction book (1999) -
Annie blinks awake, as though responding to the harshness of the words inside my head.
Fiction book (2000) -
She plunged into a flurry of kitchen cleaning, speaking to Solomon with a harshness that startled her.
Fiction book (2000) -
Many found the harshness of his criticism difficult to accept.
Synonyms
17
4.2
A feeling of discomfort or dislike
12
6.4
Being very strict and harsh when judging or punishing people
7
6.0
A very unpleasant quality that makes people feel bad
4
6.3
Lack of feeling or kindness in someone's behavior
4
5.0
A strong unpleasant quality that makes people uncomfortable
2
6.4
Rudeness or crude behavior that shows little politeness
2
6.7
A harsh, unpleasant quality that makes people feel afraid or worried
1
6.6
A state when something is very bad and frightening
1
5.2
A raw, harsh style that makes art or stories feel real
1
7.0
A harsh, rude manner or tone that offends people
1
3.5
A very strong feeling of pain or sadness that hurts deeply
1
5.9
A very unpleasant, shocking state that causes fear or disgust
1
8.2
A harsh, unkind way of speaking or acting
1
9.1
A strong feeling that something is very unpleasant or disgusting
1
3.9
A harsh quality in a voice or behavior that feels severe
1
7.7
A very strong feeling of fear when something is shocking or awful
1
7.7
A very unpleasant quality that shocks people
1
6.1
Being unpleasant or offensive and making people feel dislike
1
7.7
Being very harsh and hard for people or things to endure
1
7.0
A quality that makes pain or trouble very hard to stand
1
7.8
How strong and harmful something is, like pain or bad weather
1
8.8
A very unpleasant taste or smell that makes you reject food
How bad something looks, sounds, or smells to you
A quality of food or drink that tastes bad
A harsh tone in speech or writing that hurts people
A sharp, bitter way of speaking that hurts people
A harsh, unfriendly manner that hurts or upsets people
Antonyms
How Harsh
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Harshness comes from the old root harsh, which originally gave the idea of a 'rough' or 'hoarse' sound. So harshness is used for sounds or lighting that feel sharp and unpleasant to the senses.