Definition of harsh
1 : having a coarse uneven surface that is rough or unpleasant to the touch granite stones harsh with lichen — Nancy Hale
2a : 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 chemicalsb : 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
harshly
adverbharshness
nounPeople Are Reading
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 his 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 of harsh from the Web
-
Most agreed that press treatment of Trump is too harsh.
-
U.S. government agencies are returning copies of the Senate’s report on the harsh interrogation of terror suspects to lawmakers.
-
Despite some tense moments, senators had praise for participants in the meeting for allowing the meeting to go without harsh commentary or personal attacks.
-
Two people are dead after shootings late Sunday in Miami Beach, a bloody night that marked a harsh turn for the otherwise calm and relatively low-key Memorial Day weekend this year.
-
On Thursday, Trump had harsh words for German trade behind closed doors.
-
In San Diego, defense attorneys said the new charging and sentencing policy could mean fewer plea deals and unwarranted harsher sentences in human smuggling and drug cases common to the border region.
-
Both groups faced harsh criticism from the left for holding back while Republican groups pounded Mr. Quist early in the race, driving up his personal unpopularity and effectively disqualifying him in the eyes of many voters.
-
On screen, there is something uniquely compelling about him, alone in the harsh glare of the ring, where the canvas-and-rope geometry diagrams stories of honor, defiance, compromise, age.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'harsh'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of harsh
Middle English harsk, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian harsk harsh
Synonym Discussion of harsh
HARSH Defined for English Language Learners
harsh
playDefinition of harsh for English Language Learners
-
: unpleasant and difficult to accept or experience
-
: having an unpleasant or harmful effect because of great strength or force : too intense or powerful
-
: severe or cruel : not kind
HARSH Defined for Kids
harsh
playDefinition of harsh for Students
harsher
;harshest
1 : causing physical discomfort a harsh climate
2 : having an unpleasant or harmful effect often because of great force or intensity a harsh sound a harsh soap
3 : severe or cruel : not kind or lenient harsh punishment
harshly
adverbharshness
nounLearn More about harsh
-
See words that rhyme with harsh Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for harsh Spanish Central: Translation of harsh Nglish: Translation of harsh for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of harsh for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up harsh? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!