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Showing results for harsh. Search instead for harsl.
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.

The experience with Arena was a harsh lesson for Authentic, which never had owned a media property before.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Instead of relying on harsh chemicals, it starts with solid materials called MAX phases and uses molten salts along with iodine vapor to form MXene sheets.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

"The end of a strike, seasonal quirks and a rebound after harsh winter weather likely boosted job growth in some sectors," she said.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The harsh reality: Your kids can borrow money for a house.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

A few minutes later, Officer Begay led them down a narrow, windowless hallway with cracked tile floors and harsh lighting.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.