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

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

Yust also alleges prosecutorial misconduct, arguing that a prosecutor improperly urged jurors to sentence him more harshly because of the emotional impact of the trial on them. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

She was especially hurt that some of the people who criticized Cox most harshly, dismissing him as craven and disingenuous, were those who had the closest relationships with him. — Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026

And violations of public trust are typically judged quite harshly. — Roger J. Kreuz, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026

Tariff Refunds Spark Political Debate Democratic lawmakers have harshly criticized corporations receiving millions in tariff refunds without passing those benefits on to consumers. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Republican lawmakers have largely remained silent about the conditions on the Lincoln – not harshly criticizing the administration, but not defending it either. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

At the final stop, so to speak, before Antarctica, the weather is harshly volatile, and in the wilderness surrounding the few small cities and towns, civilization dwindles almost to nothing. — Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026

And then, the organization's chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, harshly came out against the plan, releasing a statement to the Associated Press, saying FIFA's staff had been blindsided by it. — Rafael Nam, NPR, 31 July 2026