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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.

The modern version pairs the delicate, watery planet Earth with the harsh, huge curve of the Moon, separated by black space.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Among those who took the harsh road east were her grandparents and ancestors, as well as those of Ms. Gerson’s wife, Talia Inlender, an immigration lawyer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Few realised until they got to the compounds how harsh the conditions would be.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 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

And there under the harsh ceiling lights we saw a dismal sight.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Vocabulary lists containing harsh

Negative Words to Describe a Person

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Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 4

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Oh, No! Synonyms for "Bad"

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