as in severely
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering
treated the prisoners harshly, and many died
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of harshly
Hilleary, at the campaign event, also harshly criticized Biden’s immigration policies and his administration’s approach to the COVID-19 pandemic.
—
David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Always use gentle, soft tools like an old toothbrush to scrub away grime in tough corners or nooks, but avoid scrubbing harshly.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
There are some two million Arab citizens of Israel, some of whom could be radicalized if Israel continues to frustrate Palestinian political ambitions and treat Palestinians so harshly.
—Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2025
The data speaks more harshly than any anecdote.
—Yermys Pena, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Importantly, the association urged owners not to discipline their pups harshly for the behavior.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Kimmel lives and works in California, though Trump has recently suggested the comic — who harshly mocks the President on his late night show — may be out of work sooner than later.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
Mascherano harshly criticized officials after the game for ejecting Falcon without a video review.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Always use gentle, soft tools like an old toothbrush to scrub away grime in tough corners or nooks, but avoid scrubbing harshly.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
There are some two million Arab citizens of Israel, some of whom could be radicalized if Israel continues to frustrate Palestinian political ambitions and treat Palestinians so harshly.
—Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2025
The data speaks more harshly than any anecdote.
—Yermys Pena, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Importantly, the association urged owners not to discipline their pups harshly for the behavior.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Kimmel lives and works in California, though Trump has recently suggested the comic — who harshly mocks the President on his late night show — may be out of work sooner than later.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
Mascherano harshly criticized officials after the game for ejecting Falcon without a video review.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshly
Adverb
-
Frank Olton, 76, was found on Monday tied to a pole in his basement suffering from multiple stab wounds, and his wife Maureen Olton, 77, was found on the house's first floor, severely burned, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference on Tuesday.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
-
One of every $8 in outstanding US credit card debt was severely delinquent at the end of June, the highest level since 2010.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
On an oppressively hot Friday in July, plumes of smoke curl up from Arnolds Field.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
This recent history reminds us just how brutally inflation spikes can demolish market confidence.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In February, 2024, when a nursing student named Laken Riley was brutally raped and murdered by a Venezuelan immigrant in Georgia, Republicans at the state and national level argued that the perpetrator was connected to Tren de Aragua.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
That looks like a different Caleb Williams to me, so Ben Johnson's coached him hard this offseason.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The mixer's bowl boasts a distinctive walnut shade and wood grain pattern, and its food-safe seal means the bowl works hard (and looks good doing it).—
Ella Field,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harshly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshly. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share