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
Vietnamese refugees who got a warm welcome from America puzzle at family separations, harsh rhetoric
In Vietnam, Lam had owned three companies.
—
Anh Do, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
The Rock Hall has come under close scrutiny over the makeup of its inductee classes, receiving particularly harsh commentary over its low numbers of women; as of 2023, women made up just 8.8 percent of inducted individuals, according to one scholar’s count.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
This is especially the case with more matte finishes, which can be removed from a surface with too much wiping or too harsh a brush or cloth.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2025
China has not yet budged from its harsh first responses.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harsh
Anh Do, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
The Rock Hall has come under close scrutiny over the makeup of its inductee classes, receiving particularly harsh commentary over its low numbers of women; as of 2023, women made up just 8.8 percent of inducted individuals, according to one scholar’s count.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
This is especially the case with more matte finishes, which can be removed from a surface with too much wiping or too harsh a brush or cloth.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2025
China has not yet budged from its harsh first responses.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harsh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harsh
Adjective
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Published in English, Tehelka had a small circulation but an outsized reputation for tough investigations.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Jimmie Woods-Gray, a member of the city’s fire commission, said that cutting the Equity Bureau is a necessary step in a tough budget year.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Such evidence could support the view that incessant loud noise amounts to torture or cruel treatment towards cetaceans, in turn galvanizing support for a new right to be free from such harm.—
David Gruber,
Time,
24 Apr. 2025
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According to cops, Mette, while inside Tamara’s Beauty Bar, a salon on Lenox Ave. near W. 113th St., heard a loud argument between two groups about 10:20 p.m. Tuesday.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Because her life does force you to deal with uncomfortable truths about the way this country once worked, and the way certain members of our community did get excluded.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
30 Apr. 2025
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The conversation had turned uncomfortable, leaving a deal that was at the finish line suddenly dead.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Or the court could decide that strict scrutiny applies but age checks are narrowly tailored.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2025
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The Portuguese manager built his success by adhering to a strict 3-4-3 system at Sporting Lisbon.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Like many things in life, trying to fix something later is much more painful.—
Kevin Campbell,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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Lotions in particular remove hair from the root, are less painful than wax strips, and are much cheaper than laser hair removal and electrolysis.—
Danielle Jackson,
Glamour,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Doing so consumes water, requires the use of often eco-unfriendly cleansers, and adds an unpleasant task to janitors' daily duties.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2025
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But that’s another unpleasant truth that is best left unspoken.—
The Editors,
National Review,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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However, because ecocriticism emerged in American studies prior to the field’s transnational turn, during a time that emphasized the localized subject as resistance to an oppressive nation-state, ecocritical thought has struggled to adapt.—
Abby Clayton,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Apr. 2025
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And this immensely oppressive power threatens the very foundation of legal representation in our country.—
Tom Dreisbach,
NPR,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Heat finished with an ugly 12-34 record against opponents that finished this regular season with a .500 record or better.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2025
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Brinkley in her book describes one ugly scene when Joel, deep in his cups, ate a heap of spaghetti directly from a large pan on the stove, then vehemently kicked everyone out of the house for eating his pasta.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harsh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harsh. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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