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
-
As excited as Celebrini was to be back in San Jose, there was still some bitterness as to how the Olympic tournament ended.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Matcha provides the color and gives it a slight yet pleasant green-tea bitterness.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Their injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, but no further information on the nature or severity of the injuries was available, Kelley said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
-
While the court handed down several years in prison, the family said the outcome doesn't match the severity of the crime.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Local mosquito experts blame the unseasonable weather pattern and a thriving invasive species for the surge in itchy bites.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
While Oklahoma was affected by a smaller part of the whole, foods range from breakfast-time bites to treats in your pet's food bowl.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Food is colorful, local, and seasonal, using Hokkaido ingredients with a French edge, helmed by chef Tatsuya Ozeki.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
-
On the other side of the argument, some investors say America’s edge is in innovation.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Taking inspiration from observing the rawness of Ma Tei’s Temple Street, the collectionmerges haute couture tailoring with the roughness of grassroots life.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The term plant texture refers to the fineness or coarseness, roughness or smoothness, heaviness or lightness of a particular plant.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harshness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshness. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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