1
as in tough
difficult to endure
harsh conditions in the refugee camp
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uncomfortable
causing discomfort
the harsh northern climate
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Albania has 280 miles of coast that remained largely underdeveloped during decades of harsh communist rule.
—
Zana Cimili, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
What did Bryant do to warrant such a harsh penalty?
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
So if, after a harsh winter, the plants died back to the ground, the spring shoots growing from the base will produce flowers.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
Trump, without substantiating, claimed that the FBI actually ushered rioters inside the Capitol and that the individuals only pleaded guilty out of fear of getting harsher sentences.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for harsh
Zana Cimili, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
What did Bryant do to warrant such a harsh penalty?
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
So if, after a harsh winter, the plants died back to the ground, the spring shoots growing from the base will produce flowers.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
Trump, without substantiating, claimed that the FBI actually ushered rioters inside the Capitol and that the individuals only pleaded guilty out of fear of getting harsher sentences.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for harsh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harsh
Adjective
-
With the when, where and who will play whom at the 2026 World Cup all locked in, how do the groups rank from the easiest to the toughest?—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
Opening a restaurant in downtown Boise is a tough racket.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
The loudest swing of the night belonged to the Cubs’ Michael Busch, who sent a three-run shot off lefty Erik Miller into McCovey Cove.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
-
Students at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill designed and 3D-printed a new version of the vuvuzela, the loud plastic horn that became infamous during past international soccer tournaments.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
One 2012 poll found that 23% of White evangelical voters were uncomfortable with Romney’s religion.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
If the air conditioner is set too high, then the home may be just as uncomfortable as the air outdoors.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
The latest outbreak, driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, has infected at least 515 people and killed 91, prompting strict limits on public gatherings and enforced social distancing.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
Before the Gov Ball sound engineers cut his mic out of respect for the park’s strict curfew and noise ordinance, Pretty Flacko had to take time out to reminisce about his own breakout.—
Rob Kenner,
VIBE.com,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
He’s gone through the painful, laborious and expensive process of having his tattoos removed.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
-
Like Sasse, most people in the trial experienced a rash (though just 15% had a severe case), and over half had nausea or painful sores in their mouths and throats.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Toussaint, a Black British actor, also addressed unpleasant early backlash against his casting from internet trolls.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
-
No, the most unpleasant part of descending into New York City's vast sewer system, according to former urban explorer Steve Duncan, was the cockroaches.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
High heat, oppressive humidity and a few thunderstorms are all in the weather forecast for the Boston area through Friday evening, so the WBZ-TV Weather Team has issued a NEXT Weather Alert.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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The story began with Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor, getting hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
From Valentino pig hoofs to Chanel half-sandals, our feeds are full of silly, outrageous and outright ugly footwear.—
Shane O’Neill,
Washington Post,
12 June 2026
-
Still, the settlement agreement bars either side from appealing Liman’s ruling, potentially drawing one of Hollywood’s ugliest recent legal fights to a close.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harsh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harsh. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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