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
Read more Amid the harshness of Jim Crow, Walker accomplished what seemed impossible.
—
Vivian Yee,
New York Times,
20 June 2026
Then there is the harshness of space.
—
Sven Bilén,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
As with many spills and stains, baking soda offers a mild stain-lifting power without the harshness of stronger cleaners.
—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
There is no lag to anticipate and no visual harshness pulling attention away from the music.
—
William Jones,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
The texture is firm and mouth-filling, with the higher alcohol providing structure without harshness.
—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
If you're drawn to warmer tones, consider a softer tone like terracotta or peachy neutrals that offer a similar look without the harshness.
—
Farima Ferguson,
The Spruce,
25 May 2026
Watching people be nice to each other brings the heart rate down and fulfills by proxy our need to shed the harshness of the day.
—
Sarah Wang,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
The harshness or relentlessness of weather can turn friends to lovers, can cause others to lose their minds, can provoke travel across continents, can cancel plans, can reroute rivers, can flood civilizations, can incite both panic and delight, can wash away a life’s work, can set fire to forests.
—
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
Vivian Yee,
New York Times,
20 June 2026
Then there is the harshness of space.
—
Sven Bilén,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
As with many spills and stains, baking soda offers a mild stain-lifting power without the harshness of stronger cleaners.
—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
There is no lag to anticipate and no visual harshness pulling attention away from the music.
—
William Jones,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
The texture is firm and mouth-filling, with the higher alcohol providing structure without harshness.
—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
If you're drawn to warmer tones, consider a softer tone like terracotta or peachy neutrals that offer a similar look without the harshness.
—
Farima Ferguson,
The Spruce,
25 May 2026
Watching people be nice to each other brings the heart rate down and fulfills by proxy our need to shed the harshness of the day.
—
Sarah Wang,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
The harshness or relentlessness of weather can turn friends to lovers, can cause others to lose their minds, can provoke travel across continents, can cancel plans, can reroute rivers, can flood civilizations, can incite both panic and delight, can wash away a life’s work, can set fire to forests.
—
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshness
Noun
-
And after spending most of Sunday as the guy the crowd didn’t want to see close the deal, Clark didn’t respond with bitterness.
-
Crisp and refreshing, the drink’s grapefruit bitterness was softened by carbonation, giving Mexico’s national cocktail a lively upgrade.
Noun
-
In Guatire, in Miranda state, preliminary reports indicate that several people were injured, though the severity of the injuries and the exact number of those affected remain unclear.
-
Too much of it can cause brain damage, and pediatricians must regularly check for bilirubin in newborns to measure the severity of the jaundice and determine whether the child needs treatment.
Noun
-
Aguirre hoped his team would shake off nerves following the emotional opener at Azteca Stadium and show more bite in its second game against South Korea, but his team didn’t have much power behind its attack during the game’s first 45 minutes.
-
Nosh on lamb skewers or savor bites of sweet plantains.
Noun
-
Puff sleeves, a scalloped hem, lace trim, and eyelet detailing give this top a soft, feminine edge.
-
Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.
Noun
-
The result is an aesthetic that skillfully balances a variety of textures, including injecting Shou Sugi Ban custom treatments inspired by Japanese principles of wabi-sabi that typically employ elements of asymmetry, roughness, and simplicity.
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Features such as surface roughness and protruding fibers create more sites where particles can stick to the outer surface rather than passing through.
Cite this Entry
“Harshness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshness. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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