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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.

Retailers other than gas stations got a boost in March from a trio of factors: An early Easter, bigger tax refunds and warmer weather after a harsh winter.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

This older material appears stretched and compressed by the harsh conditions of the surrounding cluster.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

Davidson, once a harsh critic of CoreWeave, turned even more bullish, lifting its price target on the stock to $175 from $125 and maintaining a Buy rating.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Mel says people in her position face harsh criticism simply for having experienced romance fraud.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

“It is where we are going, after all,” Mrs. Mallon said in her harsh voice, but moving over, making room for him on the edge of the cart.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff

Vocabulary lists containing harsh

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Oh, No! Synonyms for "Bad"

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