Synonyms of harshly

harshly

adverb

as in severely

in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering

treated the prisoners harshly, and many died

Synonyms & Similar Words

• severely
• oppressively
• brutally
• hard
• sternly
• stiffly
• ill
• strongly
• abusively
• roughly
• aggressively
• ruthlessly
• mercilessly
• grimly
• pitilessly
• unmercifully
• viciously
• heartlessly
• savagely
• insensitively
• hardly
• unsparingly
• firmly
• inhumanely
• inhumanly
• tyrannically
• uncharitably
• callously
• unfeelingly
• obdurately
• brutishly
• toughly
• resolutely
• determinedly
• cold-bloodedly
• assertively
• insensately
• gruffly
• decidedly
• hard-heartedly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lightly
• gently
• softly
• leniently
• mildly
• tenderly
• kindly
• lovingly
• graciously
• cordially
• benevolently
• considerately
• sympathetically
• compassionately
• clemently
• mercifully
• humanely
• understandingly
• charitably
• benignantly
• tolerantly
• softheartedly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of harshly

Some are condemned swiftly and harshly, others are shrugged off almost entirely. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Meta has been judged harshly for spending billions of dollars on AI without becoming a leader in the technology, so Muse’s popularity surprised some, according to Jefferies senior analyst Brent Thill. — Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Johnson has harshly criticized Villegas’ ordinance, a sign the mayor is likely to veto the measure if a compromise is not reached. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

Trump harshly criticized Warsh's predecessor, Jerome Powell, for not cutting rates quickly enough. — Democrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

Focus on crevices and edges where grease and debris tend to accumulate, but avoid scrubbing too harshly. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026

Real Betis forward Abde Ezzalzouli, who plays for Morocco, was harshly criticized by some Moroccan fans on social media when images of him wearing the shirt in support of Ceuta began to circulate. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

The attacking structure is yet to click, while defensive errors have been harshly exploited. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Speaking harshly about migrants has been seen as a potential gateway to the hatred that led to the Holocaust. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2026