harsh judgment
4
3.9
- 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
57
5.5
A strong statement saying someone or something is wrong
7
4.2
Very strong negative comments that show disapproval
1
9.0
Severe criticism or punishment using harsh words
1
6.3
A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong
1
8.2
A strong criticism of a person or action
1
9.5
A strong moral disapproval from other people
1
6.8
An opinion or decision that says something is not good
1
6.6
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
Antonyms
How Harsh
4
3.9
26
4.6
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'.