Entry Word: harsh

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 difficult to endure <harsh conditions in the refugee camp>

Synonyms bitter, brutal, burdensome, cruel, excruciating, grievous, grim, hard, heavy, inhuman, murderous, onerous, oppressive, rough, rugged, severe, stiff, tough, trying

Related Words austere, bleak, comfortless, discomforting, forbidding, hostile, inhospitable, Spartan, uncomfortable; biting, inclement, intemperate; rigorous, strict, stringent; agonizing, heartbreaking, heartrending, painful, wretched; crushing, grinding, overwhelming, wearing; insufferable, insupportable, intolerable, unbearable, unendurable; harrowing, tortuous; bad, disagreeable, hostile, unfriendly, unpleasant

Near Antonyms comfortable, cozy, luxurious, snug; agreeable, friendly, genial, hospitable, pleasant; peaceful, relaxing, reposeful, restful; bearable, endurable, painless, tolerable; balmy, calm, clement, gentle, mild, moderate, temperate

Antonyms easy, light, soft

2 disagreeable to oneʼs aesthetic or artistic sense <the harsh lighting in the cafeteria makes the food look slightly off-color>

Synonyms grating, grotesque, jarring, unaesthetic

Related Words flashy, garish, gaudy, loud, tawdry; tacky, tasteless, vulgar; inartistic, unartistic; artless, clumsy, crude, graceless, inelegant, rude; uncouth, uncultured, unrefined; disgusting, gross, obscene, repugnant, repulsive, ugly; disagreeable, jolting, unpleasant, unpleasing; blaring, clashing, discordant, dissonant, inharmonious, off-key, jangling, raspy, raucous, unharmonious, unmelodious, unmusical; bizarre, kinky, odd, outlandish, shocking

Near Antonyms artful, artistic; attractive, beautiful, becoming, comely; agreeable, appealing, felicitous, good, harmonious, harmonizing, pleasing, seemly; calming, comforting, soothing; softened, subdued; cultured, elegant, graceful, gracious, polished, refined, tasteful

Antonyms aesthetic (or esthetic)

3 causing discomfort <the harsh northern climate> — see uncomfortable 1
4 given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint <a harsh judge when it comes to drug users and especially drug pushers> — see severe 1
5 hard to accept or bear especially emotionally <the harsh reality of failure> <harsh words of criticism from her favorite teacher> — see bitter 2