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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
According to Monk, the whisky was stored in an uninsulated hut where it was subjected to the harsh Antarctic weather, with temperatures ranging between –35°C and 10°C.
—
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025
Jack Bender, a veteran of Lost and the driving force behind this summer’s The Institute (one of the best screen versions of my work, with a narrative of harsh and simple clarity), created the Mercedes trilogy and directed the pivotal episodes.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Barr offered a harsher critique of the subsidies that signaled his disapproval but was ultimately also noncommittal.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 23 Oct. 2025
The prison was built in 1919, and became known for its harsh conditions and holding some of the country’s worst criminals.
—Maya Duclay, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harsh
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025
Jack Bender, a veteran of Lost and the driving force behind this summer’s The Institute (one of the best screen versions of my work, with a narrative of harsh and simple clarity), created the Mercedes trilogy and directed the pivotal episodes.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Barr offered a harsher critique of the subsidies that signaled his disapproval but was ultimately also noncommittal.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 23 Oct. 2025
The prison was built in 1919, and became known for its harsh conditions and holding some of the country’s worst criminals.
—Maya Duclay, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harsh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harsh
Adjective
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Whether or not Takaichi's administration is as tough on immigration issues as her campaign rhetoric suggests, some observers warn that failing to actively invest in and integrate foreign nationals into society will have lasting harm on Asia’s second-largest economy.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Without a consolidation of that vote in the final stretch, Mamdani appears tough to beat.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The former instantly adds a second layer of security against unwanted guests, and the latter emits an ultra-loud alarm while acting like a door stop wedge, scaring off any stranger who tries to enter your room.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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Due to the struggles that the Florida State Seminoles have gone through this season following their opening upset win over the Alabama Crimson Tide, calls have begun getting louder for the program to consider firing head coach Mike Norvell.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In its eerie, uncomfortable depiction of Derry as a toxic version of the all-American town, the series is sometimes more powerful than when Pennywise jumps at the screen.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
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There’s certainly an authenticity to this development; who among us hasn’t procrastinated when facing an uncomfortable decision?—
Kristen Baldwin,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Those strict security measures slowed down traffic and travelers and likely would not be welcome again.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
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Loosening restrictions Chinese work visas generally come with strict, complex requirements and allow limited stays for a small group of high-end applicants who are sponsored by employers.—
Peter Guo,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There’s a wonderful chapter in which an older woman extolls a younger one to tell a painful story not with words, but with movements, so as to expel her pain without enlisting narrative’s power to summon, and thus force a re-living, of painful events.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
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If anything, Peck hoped that the film’s density and wide scope would illuminate how frequently the past’s most painful moments repeat themselves.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Considering that Rebecca and Noah’s mom, Bina (Tovah Feldshuh), came off as equally unpleasant, Foster, Konner, and Kaplan kind of had to retool the character.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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Despite being so unpleasant, hemorrhoid complications are surprisingly common.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After a summer of oppressive heat, October is when New York City hits its stride.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
18 Oct. 2025
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Raducanu had her blood pressure taken during the match, which was played in oppressive heat and humidity, before retiring down 6-1, 4-1.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Vanderbilt survived a Hail Mary against Missouri, while Memphis bounced back from its ugly loss to UAB to defeat South Florida and regain its spot as the leading Group of Five playoff contender.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Oct. 2025
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But two familiar problems reared their ugly heads.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harsh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harsh. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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