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Definitions

harsh

[hahrsh] / hɑrʃ /
ADJECTIVE
rough, crude (to the senses)
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bitter bleak grim hard rigid severe sharp strident
STRONG
coarse
WEAK
acrid asperous astringent cacophonous caterwauling clashing cracked craggy creaking croaking disagreeing discordant dissonant disturbing earsplitting flat glaring grating guttural hoarse incompatible jagged jangling jarring noisy not smooth off-key out-of-key out-of-tune rasping raucous rugged rusty screeching sour stridulous tuneless uneven unlevel unmelodious unmusical unrelenting
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bland bright calm cheerful easy facile flexible kind low mild moderate nice pleasant pliable pliant soft sunny yielding
WEAK
courteous gentle peaceful pleasing polite smooth
ADJECTIVE
nasty, abusive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bitter brutal cruel grim hard punitive relentless rude ruthless severe sharp stern stringent tough unkind unpleasant
WEAK
austere comfortless cussed discourteous dour gruff hairy hard-boiled hard-nosed hard-shell mean pitiless uncivil unfeeling ungracious unrelenting wicked
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable bland calm cheerful compassionate considerate easy facile flexible friendly gentle giving good inexact kind merciful mild nice pleasant sympathetic tolerant wonderful
WEAK
courteous peaceful pleasing polite smooth soft

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This older material appears stretched and compressed by the harsh conditions of the surrounding cluster.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

In February, he took further steps during the harsh weather, freeing up hotel rooms, placing 1,400 people in homeless shelters, and sending another 150 outreach workers to the streets.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Davidson, once a harsh critic of CoreWeave, turned even more bullish, lifting its price target on the stock to $175 from $125 and maintaining a Buy rating.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Such changes would go hand in hand with an overhaul of the department’s much-maligned disciplinary system, which has faced criticism from some corners for not meting out harsh enough punishments when officers shoot unarmed people.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

By the summer of 1814, Dolley Madison’s lavish White House parties had given way to the harsh realities of war.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Vocabulary lists containing harsh

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