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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

Vocal coach and metal singer Jade Maris tells Newsbeat that producing harsh sounds can cause damage if done incorrectly, but says there are safer ways to do it.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

The findings add to growing evidence that small, protected areas known as "microrefugia" allowed temperate plant species to survive harsh Ice Age conditions in northern Europe.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2026

Sometimes, he said, a boss asked him to clean milk tanks using harsh chemicals without protective gear.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

My anger subsided, and I realized that my outburst at Mom had been over-the-top harsh.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

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