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.

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

“A place where our reality, sometimes because of its beauty and harshness, surpasses any fiction. To do so not in an artificial way but in a very artisanal way, instead.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2024

Though judges frequently depart from the guidelines, introducing wide variability, "the risk of harshness is greater than in most countries" - particularly for high-profile cases, Prof Richman said.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2024

There was a harshness to the set of her mouth that Maddie had never seen before.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein