harsh

adjective

ˈhärsh How to pronounce harsh (audio)
Definition of harshnext
1
as in tough
difficult to endure harsh conditions in the refugee camp

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2
as in loud
disagreeable to one's aesthetic or artistic sense the harsh lighting in the cafeteria makes the food look slightly off-color

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3
as in uncomfortable
causing discomfort the harsh northern climate

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4
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint a harsh judge when it comes to drug users and especially drug dealers

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5
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally the harsh reality of failure harsh words of criticism from her music teacher

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6
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses winced at the harsh sound that the beginner violinist was making

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective harsh contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of harsh are rough, rugged, scabrous, and uneven. While all these words mean "not smooth or even," harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.

a harsh fabric that chafes the skin

When might rough be a better fit than harsh?

Although the words rough and harsh have much in common, rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

When could rugged be used to replace harsh?

While in some cases nearly identical to harsh, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

When is scabrous a more appropriate choice than harsh?

The words scabrous and harsh are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

Where would uneven be a reasonable alternative to harsh?

In some situations, the words uneven and harsh are roughly equivalent. However, uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.

an old house with uneven floors

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of harsh Støre said Norway is prepared to negotiate with the U.S. Singapore Hit by Trump’s universal 10% tariff, Singapore was spared harsher tariffs that hit many of its neighbors. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 3 Apr. 2025 But even if Trump’s tariffs ultimately end up being less harsh than feared, a worry hitting the market is that their herky-jerky rollout may by itself create enough nervousness to get U.S. households and businesses to freeze their spending, which would damage the economy. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025 The third brought even a harsher emptiness, as Iglesias’ walk was followed by Lockridge’s double to give the Padres runners at second and third with no outs. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025 After visiting Ethiopia and witnessing the harsh realities facing children there, she was forever changed. — Shelby Stewart, Essence, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for harsh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harsh
  1. tough
  2. loud
  3. uncomfortable
  4. strict
  5. painful
  6. unpleasant
  7. oppressive
  8. ugly
Adjective
  • Even if Denver had that many future second-rounders to offer this summer, doing so two consecutive years would be a tough pill to swallow.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025
  • But the Lotus ladies will have some tough competition, including seven-time winner Allison Janney, two-time winner Patricia Arquette, and potential double nominee Kaitlyn Dever.
    — Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • Building strong relationships—without being the loudest in the room Introverts are rarely the most talkative people in meetings or social settings.
    — Lorraine K. Lee, Contributor, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
  • There has been a loud flirtation with Aaron Rodgers that Adofo-Mensah has danced around quite a bit.
    — Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of loud
Adjective
  • After an Emanuel Sharp 3 made Duke officially uncomfortable (67-64, 33 seconds left), Tugler was one of three Houston players to tip a regrettable inbounds pass from James, setting off a frenzied sequence.
    — Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • These disagreements kept things interesting, if sometimes uncomfortable, in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of uncomfortable
Adjective
  • Some venues, such as London's fabric, encourage a phone-free environment through guidance rather than strict enforcement.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
  • First, monitor how Asian hubs respond to the surprising success of Singapore’s stricter regime - will Hong Kong double down on flexibility or pivot toward stability?
    — Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of strict
Adjective
  • However, Trump has described his policies as a painful yet necessary step to encourage companies to relocate their operations to the United States.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The overstressed tissue, either along your arch or right next to your heel, can then sustain tiny tears and become irritated, inflamed, and painful.
    — Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of painful
Adjective
  • As horrible, unpleasant, miserable this work was, people had the most wonderful spirit.
    — Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Euphemisms are designed to obfuscate unpleasant truths.
    — Zachariah Mampilly, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • Plan Your Trip Charleston, South Carolina The Holy City may be blanketed in humidity in the height of summer, but Charlestonians have figured out all the best ways to deal with the oppressive air.
    — Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In its first season, Andor was cinematic, grown-up, grounded, and urgent, running bold choices or ideas, like deftly examining how oppressive administrations exert their political power.
    — Photo: Courtesy of Netflix., Refinery29, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • And at a moment where reality TV shows are proliferating, but often with an ugly underbelly, the cable brand is betting that its antidote will resonate with an audience on both linear TV and streaming.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
  • That pollution causes an ugly brown smog to blanket the skyline on hot summer days and causes people, especially those with respiratory problems, to struggle to breathe.
    — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of ugly

Browse Nearby Words

harrying
harsh
harshen
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Cite this Entry

“Harsh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harsh. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

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