1
as in tough
difficult to endure
harsh conditions in the refugee camp
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harsh
Of the treaty’s three American signers—John Adams, John Jay and Benjamin Franklin—Franklin was said to have taken the harshest line against the loyalists.
—
Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025
Take the cover off Most AC units can withstand all kinds of harsh weather, so using a cover during the off-season isn’t necessary.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2025
Trump has touted harsher penalties if Putin doesn't budge on peace.
—Shane Croucher
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Finally, avoid using solvents or harsh cleaning products on your surfboard.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for harsh
Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025
Take the cover off Most AC units can withstand all kinds of harsh weather, so using a cover during the off-season isn’t necessary.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2025
Trump has touted harsher penalties if Putin doesn't budge on peace.
—Shane Croucher
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Finally, avoid using solvents or harsh cleaning products on your surfboard.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for harsh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harsh
Adjective
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For the body-conscious dad Finding time to exercise, as well as to recover from a workout, during a busy travel schedule can be tough.—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
Every day, Russia gives new reasons for tougher sanctions and stronger support for our defense.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
Arrowhead first set the Guinness world record for loudest stadium in 2013.—
Nate Taylor,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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Aligning with her mission has taught me that compassion can be loud, advocacy can be glamorous and real change often begins in the raw truth of someone’s survival story.—
Sonia Singh,
Rolling Stone,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: Most marketing ROI is based on incomplete data and backward-looking models that oversimplify human behavior.—
Gully Flowers,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
Bloating Bloating is a common and often uncomfortable feeling of stomach fullness or tightness.—
T'Keyah Bazin,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
No new stores that sell certain pets will be allowed to open in Manatee County and existing pet sellers and breeders will face stricter regulations under new rules passed unanimously Tuesday by county leaders.—
Ryan Ballogg,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2025
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There is a strict bag policy in place at the stadium, and all restrictions will be enforced.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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And sometimes, that transformation, though painful, can deepen our capacity for compassion, connection, and appreciation for the precious gift of life itself.—
Charell G. Coleman,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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For millions of Americans, the road to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is slow and painful, sought only when symptoms become unmistakable.—
Louise Jacobsen Fisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Castillo’s short novel is a giddy character study of an unpleasant young male type.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
2 June 2025
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To neutralize unpleasant smells, add a few pots of aromatic herbs, like rosemary and lavender.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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More than 60 years ago, my parents fled Cuba for the United States, seeking freedom from an oppressive regime that dictated what businesses produced and how products were priced.—
Carlos Cubelo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2025
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The film follows a 40-year-old widowed nurse named Mahnaz, who is struggling with a rebellious son and other complications in a heavily oppressive patriarchal context.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Tech wealth here looks even less appealing than that of the Roy family (the expensively beige décor is even uglier).—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
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During the negotiation of USMCA in 2018, the current trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada that Trump managed during his first term, conversations between the President and GM occasionally turned ugly.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harsh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harsh. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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