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harsh judgment

harsh judgment

3 3.9
Strong negative opinion that is unkind or too strict
  • noun
translation icon : juicio severo
  • Think of Nick Carraway's harsh judgment of Daisy Buchanan and the illusions Gatsby has fabricated around her.

Examples

  • 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

condemnation
vsharsh judgment
56 5.5

A strong statement saying someone or something is wrong

focuses more on being unreasonably strict or personally unkind
harsh criticism
vsharsh judgment
4 4.2

Very strong negative comments that show disapproval

is identical in meaning but presented in the main headword form
castigation
vsharsh judgment
  • Formal
1 9.0

Severe criticism or punishment using harsh words

is similar but highlights strictness rather than punitive action
berating
vsharsh judgment
1 6.3

A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong

can be more general condemnation rather than a direct verbal attack
reprobation
vsharsh judgment
1 9.5

A strong moral disapproval from other people

is broader, not limited to moral reasons and can be personal
stricture
vsharsh judgment
  • Formal
1 8.2

A strong criticism of a person or action

is less formal and more about personal strictness or unkindness
heavy-handed criticism
vsharsh judgment
6.6

Very harsh comments that make someone feel hurt

is instead about being strict or unkind rather than merely blunt
vitriolic remark
vsharsh judgment
  • Offensive
8.9

A very harsh and angry comment meant to hurt someone

covers severe judgment more generally, not only bitter single remarks
harsh roast
vsharsh judgment
  • Informal
7.9

A strong mocking criticism of someone's words or actions

is serious condemnation without playful or mocking intent
unfavorable judgment
vsharsh judgment
  • US
6.8

An opinion or decision that says something is not good

is harsher and often unreasonably strict rather than just negative

Antonyms

333 2.2

An act of letting go of anger toward someone after they hurt you

26 4.6

Not being strict when judging or punishing someone

How Harsh

harsh judgment
3 3.9
leniency
26 4.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

harsh + judgment

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'.