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
The classic Canadian approach—blending for balance, clarity, and drinkability—still delivers and remains one of the best pathways to rye whisky’s signature herbal-spice aromatics without harshness.
—
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 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
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshness
Noun
-
Coffee is particularly simpatico in chocolate recipes, where the coffee’s bitterness rounds out the chocolate flavor without overpowering it.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Chocolate in this range delivers intensity without bitterness and often carries subtle fruity or nutty notes, especially varieties sourced from South America.—
Amber Love Bond,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Several people were treated for injuries of varying severity, including the train driver, who died after being assisted by the first responders.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Kp is an index used to indicate the severity of the global magnetic disturbances in near-Earth space, NOAA said.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The event will feature craft brews, gourmet bites, live auction and nostalgic carnival games to raise money to help community members in need get food.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Signs Of A Bed Bug Infestation Bed bugs feed on blood, so a skin reaction from bites is often the first sign of a potential infestation.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Its Blackwell architecture sets the standard for raw performance, and its software ecosystem with CUDA remains a formidable competitive edge.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Yang Minghan, a crew member of the Zunyi, said in the report that the Type 055 is a new-type destroyer equipped with a host of advanced new systems, boasting cutting-edge performance.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
What constitutes pass interference or unnecessary roughness can vary dramatically from one crew to another, and even from quarter to quarter within the same game.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, shea butter softens roughness and delivers a youthful glow.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harshness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshness. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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