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
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Designed for hiking and other outdoor adventures, these water-resistant pants are made with UPF 50 protection from harsh sun rays along with several spacious, handy pockets.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2025
Trump’s election confirmed, to some on the Left, that the country really was as bad as some of their harshest rhetoric suggested.
—Alexander Nazaryan, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
The source fears the men will never go to trial and could die in prison, given the harsh conditions and El Salvador's track record.
—Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025
Where once elephants were used in harsh working conditions, performing tricks or giving rides to tourists, many organizations today are pushing for more humane approaches to wildlife interaction.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harsh
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2025
Trump’s election confirmed, to some on the Left, that the country really was as bad as some of their harshest rhetoric suggested.
—Alexander Nazaryan, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
The source fears the men will never go to trial and could die in prison, given the harsh conditions and El Salvador's track record.
—Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025
Where once elephants were used in harsh working conditions, performing tricks or giving rides to tourists, many organizations today are pushing for more humane approaches to wildlife interaction.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harsh
Cite this Entry
“Harsh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harsh. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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