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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of harshness
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
The bass doesn’t overpower vocals, and the treble avoids harshness.
—Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
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
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
-
Astringent Hachiya persimmons must fully soften at room temperature before eating because chilling too early locks in bitterness.—
Randi Gollin,
Martha Stewart,
11 Jan. 2026
-
As oblivion approached, with all its attendant possibilities of panic or bitterness, Bowie summoned the generosity to evoke the ordeal of one prematurely dying man while also thinking and creating at the no less vast scale of life itself.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Internal bleeding covers a wide range of severity, from life-threatening injuries to bruising.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Moore said the department has since adjusted both its tactics and decision-making protocols for wildland fires, particularly in high fire severity zones.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
From comfort food classics to more elevated plates, several bites stood out at a preview event.—
Alexa Stone
January 9,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Guests will naturally gravitate towards these pairings, ensuring the perfect bite.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The sense of sunrise or sunset invokes a time of change, being on the edge.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Cropped bomber jackets add polish, edge, and proportion, all without overwhelming a smaller frame.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, shea butter softens roughness and delivers a youthful glow.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Each street segment is assigned a Pavement Condition Index score based on roughness and cracks.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harshness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshness. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
