harshness

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.

There’s often a clarifying, poignant harshness in the losses they depict.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

To assess excessive punishment claims, Colorado courts begin by comparing “the gravity or seriousness of the offense to the harshness of the penalty.”

From Slate • Dec. 29, 2025

Without discounting the harshness of that imposed acculturation, he thanked what it gained him rather than resenting the means.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

The flavor’s persistence has infuriated anti-smoking advocates, who point to research that menthol’s numbing effect masks the harshness of smoking, making it easier to start and harder to quit.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 2, 2024

There was a harshness to Hannie’s voice as she whispered back, ‘Why not?’

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler