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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.

Finally, Keating acknowledged challenges brought upon by harsh winter weather and more cautious consumer sentiment.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

Overnight, her once warm, cozy street felt harsh and hostile.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

He was transferred to a less harsh penal colony in Russia's Udmurtia region in 2024.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

By recreating these harsh conditions on Earth, engineers were able to evaluate how the lander performs in flight-like environments.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

As I turned ahead, a massive form emerged from the darkness, intruding into the electrical lights’ harsh gleam.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Vocabulary lists containing harsh

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