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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harshness
Sunlight naturally sanitizes, and air drying prevents the harshness of high heat.
—
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
The tinted visor that Morgan Geekie wore for two games against the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars in January could help mute the lights’ harshness.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Seoul 1988 Retinal Eye Cream Viral for using retinal (stronger than retinol) in a liposome delivery system for smoother texture without harshness.
—Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The noise cancellation is legendary, and the sound is balanced and clean, with no weird bass boosting or treble harshness.
—PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
The harshness of the rhetoric reflects just how much Moscow stands to lose if the deal holds and TRIPP become a reality.
—Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Middleton aimed to create a score that reflects the harshness and hope of the desert setting.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025
The harshness of the language and the raw politicking shocked voters.
—Matt Klink, Oc Register, 6 Sep. 2025
But despite the parched landscape and the harshness of the sea, the place felt welcoming.
—Peter Heller, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2024
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
The tinted visor that Morgan Geekie wore for two games against the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars in January could help mute the lights’ harshness.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Seoul 1988 Retinal Eye Cream Viral for using retinal (stronger than retinol) in a liposome delivery system for smoother texture without harshness.
—Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The noise cancellation is legendary, and the sound is balanced and clean, with no weird bass boosting or treble harshness.
—PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
The harshness of the rhetoric reflects just how much Moscow stands to lose if the deal holds and TRIPP become a reality.
—Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Middleton aimed to create a score that reflects the harshness and hope of the desert setting.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025
The harshness of the language and the raw politicking shocked voters.
—Matt Klink, Oc Register, 6 Sep. 2025
But despite the parched landscape and the harshness of the sea, the place felt welcoming.
—Peter Heller, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshness
Noun
-
For example, maror, or bitter herbs, represent the bitterness of slavery.—
Lucia Cheng,
Des Moines Register,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The rest of the band joins in as Ayewa calls for the listener to look up to a world above war, bitterness, and division.—
Steve Donofrio,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Orkin's bed bug treatment methods may include targeted applications, heat treatments or a combination of strategies, depending on the severity.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The department said the driver's seat was the only part of the car that remained intact, but despite the severity of the crash, the driver suffered only minor injuries.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Worldwide, many antibiotics are starting to lose their bite.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The evening begins with a lively pre-event social hour featuring bites, cocktails and networking.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When looking at the largest metro areas, the fastest growing counties tended to be on the outer edges.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The Chiefs have now turned their attention to the secondary waves of free agency while looking ahead to the draft — with top needs at cornerback, edge and offensive tackle, by my estimation.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Interest in imperfection, roughness, and asymmetry was already growing in the digital era before AI arrived.—
Andrey Mir,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
There is still a little roughness around the edges.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harshness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshness. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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