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View synonyms for harsh

harsh

[hahrsh]

adjective

  1. ungentle and unpleasant in action or effect.

    harsh treatment; harsh manners.

  2. grim or unpleasantly severe; stern; cruel; austere.

    a harsh life; a harsh master.

  3. physically uncomfortable; desolate; stark.

    a harsh land.

    Synonyms: rough
  4. unpleasant to the ear; grating; strident.

    a harsh voice; a harsh sound.

  5. unpleasantly rough, ragged, or coarse to the touch.

    a harsh surface.

  6. jarring to the eye or to the esthetic sense; unrefined; crude; raw.

    harsh colors.

  7. unpleasant to the taste or sense of smell; bitter; acrid.

    a harsh flavor; a harsh odor.



harsh

/ hɑːʃ /

adjective

  1. rough or grating to the senses

  2. stern, severe, or cruel

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. slang,  (tr) to cause (a state of elation) to be diminished or ended (esp in the phrases harsh someone's mellow and harsh someone's buzz )

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • harshly adverb
  • harshness noun
  • overharsh adjective
  • overharshly adverb
  • overharshness noun
  • unharsh adjective
  • unharshly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of harsh1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English harsk; cognate with German harsch, Danish harsk “rancid”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of harsh1

C16: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Middle Low German harsch, Norwegian harsk rancid
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Synonym Study

See stern 1.
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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 Wall Street Journal has reported on detainees experiencing harsh treatment, including beatings, psychological abuse, food deprivation, crowded and unsanitary conditions, and being denied requests for medical care and legal counsel.

Dahbia Benkired, aged 27, must spend at least 30 years in prison after a panel of judges and a jury decided to impose the country's harshest possible penalty.

Read more on BBC

She was initially praised for easing Magufuli-era restrictions on the opposition and media, but is now accused of harsh repression.

Read more on Barron's

“Mr. Kaleel has always maintained his innocence and that he took his initial plea bargain on the advice of counsel to avoid a harsher sentence should he lose at trial,” Hardie said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At least seven people were killed, including two children, in Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities overnight into Wednesday, and there are fears that the coming winter may be the harshest yet for Ukraine.

Read more on BBC

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Harry Potterharshen