1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
there was a harshness about her voice that made her an unlikely but surprisingly evocative singer of torch songs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in severity
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism)
was surprised at the harshness of the choirmaster's criticism, since he was usually pretty easygoing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harshness
The harshness of the language and the raw politicking shocked voters.
—
Matt Klink, Oc Register, 6 Sep. 2025
The bass doesn’t overpower vocals, and the treble avoids harshness.
—Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Matt Klink, Oc Register, 6 Sep. 2025
The bass doesn’t overpower vocals, and the treble avoids harshness.
—Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshness
Noun
-
But her private letters to her sister Cassandra show a sharper and more astringent person, someone whose cruelty and bitterness were redeemed only by her jokes.—
Lucy Worsley
September 16,
Literary Hub,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The Bitter Mai Tai is a full-fledged neo classic, first bright with lime and rum, then deep with almond, and then—where a standard Mai Tai would fall away with a lingering malic zing—the Bitter Mai Tai rises in a bold third act, humming with bitterness and the banana-funk of the rum.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The severity of droughts, flooding, all of that will get worse.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The severity of a sprain depends on how much of a ligament is torn.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Watch this historic matchup on panoramic, state-of-the-art digital screens with premium seating, specialty cocktails, craft beer, and upscale bites like crispy chicken wings, flatbreads, and signature burgers.—
Nasha Smith,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
That took a huge bite out of Fox’s total numbers.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The attack was widely condemned in the Middle East and beyond as an act that could escalate tensions in a region already on edge.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
On the other hand, edge computing will gain, too.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The referee threw a flag on the play, calling a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on Tart.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Speaking to the media Monday ahead of the Chiefs’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Reid was asked about the NFL rule that called for an unnecessary roughness penalty as opposed to an automatic suspension.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harshness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshness. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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