harshness

noun

Definition of harshnessnext
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

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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

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 Reparations are about exercising a radical vision, thinking beyond the harshness of life, and knowing that something better is possible. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 The harshness of the response suggested that after nearly five decades of trying to negotiate with the SSPX, the Holy See has had enough. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 The harshness of the response suggested that after trying to negotiate with the SSPX, the Vatican under Leo XIV had had enough. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Sunlight naturally sanitizes, and air drying prevents the harshness of high heat. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 29 June 2026 Yet the harshness of humanity has been constantly rescued by our capacity to create and love. — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 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 There is no lag to anticipate and no visual harshness pulling attention away from the music. — William Jones, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshness
  1. bitterness
  2. severity
  3. bite
  4. edge
  5. roughness
Noun
  • Instead, that generation’s gesture seems to be stymied or to miss its target and end in bitterness—which is precisely what gives these artists’ work at its best a poignancy on the other side of its aggression and humor.
    — Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • This copper beauty serves up bold floral and citrus aromas, plus the signature IPA bitterness.
    — Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of bitterness
Noun
  • Hammer time Rating the severity of Clippers penalties Adam Silver and the NBA finally levied a punishment on the Clippers on Wednesday after 364 days of an investigation into allegations of salary-cap circumvention.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The tone continues to be placid, the plunky marimba and steel drum score remains the same, and the performances only grow to feel even more remarkably lived-in as the severity of the situation clicks into place.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of severity
Noun
  • Summer squash stuffed pasta at BoccaLupo House-made, delicate parcels of pasta are stuffed with tender summer squash, tasting nostalgically like a Southern squash casserole, all wrapped into a single bite.
    — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Breakker needs a win here to go back to the days in which he was considered the man with the loudest bark and the biggest bite.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of bite
Noun
  • The Eagles were not as dominant in 2025, partly due to the regression of the depth in their secondary and the injuries sustained at edge rusher.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The facilities would include what’s known as an edge computing data center, which typically is much smaller than traditional data centers and which Global Stack says would require lower utility use and no municipal water connection.
    — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • DuBose said the incidents went beyond the normal roughness of football.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Even with an unnecessary roughness penalty in the fourth, Shelley made his reps count, making five tackles and breaking up a deep pass from Rams quarterback Ty Simpson intended for Tyler Scott.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of roughness

Browse Nearby Words

harshly
harshness
harum-scarum
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Cite this Entry

“Harshness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshness. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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