1
: having a coarse uneven surface that is rough or unpleasant to the touch
granite stones harsh with lichen—
Nancy Hale
Nancy Hale2
a
: causing a disagreeable or painful sensory reaction : irritating
harsh colors
harsh lighting
her harsh high-pitched voice
The horseradish was too harsh for the children.
: overly intense or powerful
harsh chemicals
b
: physically discomforting
The climate there is very harsh.
a harsh winter
: unpleasant and difficult to accept or experience
the harsh realities of poverty
a harsh reminder of the importance of wearing a seat belt
3
: excessively critical or negative
had some harsh words for her opponent
a harsh critic
: unduly severe in making demands
harsh discipline
4
: lacking in aesthetic appeal or refinement : crude
a harsh and sometimes unpleasant book, barren of pretty touches—Brendan Gill
Brendan Gill
harshly
adverb
harshness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of harsh in a Sentence
The climate there is very harsh.
We've had an extremely harsh winter.
It's time for her to face the harsh realities of this situation.
The accident serves as a harsh reminder of the importance of wearing a seat belt.
The lighting in the room was very harsh.
The state has established harsh penalties for drug dealers.
She has been criticized for her harsh treatment of her students.
He was sentenced to a harsh prison term.
He had harsh words for his opponent.
She has faced some extremely harsh criticism.
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump has promised to enact a new fiscal and economic regime, including harsh tariffs that some economists fear could have inflationary effects.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
For centuries, herders looking for summer pastures were the main presence in this harsh and inhospitable region some 14,000 feet (4,200 meters) above sea level in the eastern Himalayas.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
For your glass cooktop, avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive sponges.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024
November is here, and with its arrival comes cooler, harsher weather.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for harsh 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
For centuries, herders looking for summer pastures were the main presence in this harsh and inhospitable region some 14,000 feet (4,200 meters) above sea level in the eastern Himalayas.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
For your glass cooktop, avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive sponges.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024
November is here, and with its arrival comes cooler, harsher weather.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for harsh
Articles Related to harsh
Dictionary Entries Near harsh
Cite this Entry
“Harsh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harsh. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share