harsh
adjective
ˈhärsh 
1
: having a coarse uneven surface that is rough or unpleasant to the touch
granite stones harsh with lichen
Nancy Hale
Nancy Hale2
a
: causing a disagreeable or painful sensory reaction : irritating
harsh colors
harsh lighting
her harsh high-pitched voice
The horseradish was too harsh for the children.
: overly intense or powerful harsh chemicals
b
: physically discomforting
The climate there is very harsh.
a harsh winter
: unpleasant and difficult to accept or experience the harsh realities of poverty
a harsh reminder of the importance of wearing a seat belt
3
: excessively critical or negative
had some harsh words for her opponent
a harsh critic
: unduly severe in making demands harsh discipline
4
: lacking in aesthetic appeal or refinement : crude
a harsh and sometimes unpleasant book, barren of pretty touches Brendan Gill
Brendan Gill harshly adverb
harshness noun
Synonyms
- bitter
- brutal
- burdensome
- cruel
- excruciating
- grievous
- grim
- hard
- hardhanded
- heavy
- inhuman
- murderous
- onerous
- oppressive
- rough
- rugged
- searing
- severe
- stiff
- tough
- trying
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The climate there is very harsh. We've had an extremely harsh winter. It's time for her to face the harsh realities of this situation. The accident serves as a harsh reminder of the importance of wearing a seat belt. The lighting in the room was very harsh. The state has established harsh penalties for drug dealers. She has been criticized for her harsh treatment of her students. He was sentenced to a harsh prison term. He had harsh words for his opponent. She has faced some extremely harsh criticism. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Even in his two immensely popular presidential thrillers written with Bill Clinton, Patterson has avoided any harsh criticism of the Very Stable Genius. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2022 The disciplinary actions drew harsh criticism and nationwide attention. Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Regional strongmen that once came under harsh criticism from the West appear to be back in favor. Abbas Al Lawati, CNN, 24 Aug. 2022 Even when praising Styles for his character and talent, Wilde, 38, has been met with harsh criticism online. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2022 The 45-year-old actress says that while working on the 2000 film Coyote Ugly she was pressured to lose weight and subjected to harsh criticism from a costume designer and the makeup team. Justine Browning, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2022 Arredondo – who has faced harsh criticism from state law enforcement, teachers, and the Uvalde community for his response to the shooting – was placed on unpaid administrative leave in June. Paul Best, Fox News, 4 Aug. 2022 Salman's role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi drew harsh criticism from then-candidate Biden of both the Saudis and Trump, who refused to blame Salman. Rick Klein, ABC News, 15 July 2022 But harsh criticism by real-life Hollywood legends Jerry West and Kareem-Abdul Jabbar probably sealed its Emmy chances. cleveland, 12 July 2022 See More
Ron Charles, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2022 The disciplinary actions drew harsh criticism and nationwide attention. Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Regional strongmen that once came under harsh criticism from the West appear to be back in favor. Abbas Al Lawati, CNN, 24 Aug. 2022 Even when praising Styles for his character and talent, Wilde, 38, has been met with harsh criticism online. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2022 The 45-year-old actress says that while working on the 2000 film Coyote Ugly she was pressured to lose weight and subjected to harsh criticism from a costume designer and the makeup team. Justine Browning, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2022 Arredondo – who has faced harsh criticism from state law enforcement, teachers, and the Uvalde community for his response to the shooting – was placed on unpaid administrative leave in June. Paul Best, Fox News, 4 Aug. 2022 Salman's role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi drew harsh criticism from then-candidate Biden of both the Saudis and Trump, who refused to blame Salman. Rick Klein, ABC News, 15 July 2022 But harsh criticism by real-life Hollywood legends Jerry West and Kareem-Abdul Jabbar probably sealed its Emmy chances. cleveland, 12 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English harsk, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian harsk harsh
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
harsh
adjective
ˈhärsh
harsher; harshest
1
: causing physical discomfort
a harsh climate
2
: having an unpleasant or harmful effect often because of great force or intensity
a harsh sound
a harsh soap
3
: severe or cruel : not kind or lenient
harsh punishment
harsh
adjective
1
as in tough
difficult to endure harsh conditions in the refugee camp Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- tough
- oppressive
- brutal
- searing
- severe
- rough
- cruel
- hard
- grim
- trying
- bitter
- bleak
- painful
- heavy
- inhuman
- onerous
- rugged
- burdensome
- murderous
- excruciating
- grievous
- unpleasant
- stiff
- uncomfortable
- inhospitable
- unbearable
- strict
- bad
- forbidding
- rigorous
- austere
- stringent
- hardhanded
- spartan
- overwhelming
- discomforting
- intemperate
- inclement
- biting
- comfortless
- hostile
- intolerable
- crushing
- agonizing
- disagreeable
- unfriendly
- wild
- harrowing
- heartbreaking
- insufferable
- wretched
- grinding
- tortuous
- unendurable
- wearing
- heartrending
- insupportable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- light
- soft
- easy
- pleasant
- comfortable
- luxurious
- friendly
- agreeable
- mild
- peaceful
- hospitable
- gentle
- cozy
- genial
- moderate
- tolerable
- relaxing
- restful
- calm
- bearable
- temperate
- snug
- painless
- balmy
- endurable
- reposeful
- clement
2
as in loud
disagreeable to one's aesthetic or artistic sense the harsh lighting in the cafeteria makes the food look slightly off-color Synonyms & Similar Words
- loud
- jarring
- ugly
- unpleasant
- grotesque
- grating
- unaesthetic
- disgusting
- unpleasing
- tawdry
- bizarre
- gaudy
- disagreeable
- garish
- acid
- tacky
- flashy
- inartistic
- repulsive
- odd
- tasteless
- repugnant
- vulgar
- obscene
- uncouth
- dissonant
- inelegant
- rude
- unartistic
- artless
- jolting
- clumsy
- crude
- uncultured
- raucous
- shocking
- unrefined
- inharmonious
- unmusical
- unmelodious
- outlandish
- raspy
- disharmonious
- clashing
- kinky
- graceless
- gross
- ragged
- blaring
- discordant
- off-key
- jangling
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- beautiful
- aesthetic
- good
- artistic
- artful
- attractive
- agreeable
- esthetic
- harmonious
- appealing
- becoming
- soothing
- subdued
- pleasing
- softened
- calming
- comforting
- aesthetical
- felicitous
- comely
- gracious
- elegant
- esthetical
- graceful
- refined
- polished
- seemly
- tasteful
- harmonizing
- cultured
3
as in uncomfortable
causing discomfort the harsh northern climate Synonyms & Similar Words
- uncomfortable
- painful
- sore
- miserable
- awkward
- disturbing
- torturous
- discomforting
- comfortless
- nasty
- distressing
- cramping
- upsetting
- aching
- cumbersome
- hurting
- uneasy
- inconvenient
- agonizing
- excruciating
- stinging
- smarting
- ungainly
- itching
- chafing
- pinching
- prickling
- pricking
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- comfortable
- easy
- soothing
- soft
- comfy
- cozy
- relaxing
- restful
- cushy
- snug
- easeful
- reposeful
4
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint a harsh judge when it comes to drug users and especially drug dealers Synonyms & Similar Words
- tough
- strict
- authoritarian
- rigorous
- stern
- severe
- rigid
- hard
- merciless
- relentless
- gruff
- hardened
- austere
- flinty
- relentless
- heavy-handed
- demanding
- unforgiving
- steadfast
- ramrod
- pitiless
- uncompromising
- callous
- adamant
- exacting
- unrelenting
- stiff
- bullying
- uncharitable
- unyielding
- implacable
- determined
- unbending
- unsparing
- inflexible
- dour
- ascetic
- unflinching
- hard-hearted
- adamantine
- immovable
- monastic
- obstinate
- hard-line
- browbeating
- monkish
- ossified
- intractable
- firm
- resolved
- ascetical
- dogged
- rock-ribbed
- single-minded
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- gentle
- lenient
- mild
- easy
- tolerant
- lax
- indulgent
- soft
- kind
- forbearing
- clement
- easygoing
- merciful
- undemanding
- charitable
- patient
- accepting
- softhearted
- compromising
- responsive
- agreeable
- laid-back
- willing
- yielding
- flexible
- amenable
- compliant
- complaisant
- acquiescent
- pliable
- pliant
5
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally the harsh reality of failure harsh words of criticism from her music teacher Synonyms & Similar Words
- painful
- cruel
- bitter
- horrible
- torturous
- terrible
- severe
- hurtful
- harrowing
- awful
- unacceptable
- agonizing
- excruciating
- grievous
- unbearable
- dreadful
- bad
- intolerable
- galling
- extreme
- tormenting
- miserable
- intense
- dire
- nasty
- appalling
- vile
- afflicting
- heartrending
- ghastly
- acute
- insufferable
- unendurable
- wretched
- rotten
- unsupportable
- piercing
- insupportable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sweet
- tolerable
- pleasing
- gratifying
- bearable
- endurable
- acceptable
- sustainable
- reasonable
- survivable
- supportable
- livable
- allowable
- sufferable
- liveable
6
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses winced at the harsh sound that the beginner violinist was making Synonyms & Similar Words
- unpleasant
- bad
- nasty
- bitter
- unpleasing
- horrible
- ugly
- awful
- sour
- disgusting
- disagreeable
- sickening
- unwelcome
- shocking
- rotten
- wicked
- dreadful
- distasteful
- uncongenial
- unpalatable
- icky
- unlovely
- yucky
- displeasing
- hideous
- unsavory
- annoying
- vile
- obnoxious
- hateful
- irritating
- horrid
- appalling
- hellish
- yukky
- odious
- horrendous
- loathsome
- sick
- abhorrent
- repugnant
- ghastly
- repulsive
- obscene
- abominable
- invidious
- offensive
- revolting
- scandalous
- aggravating
- foul
- gnarly
- miserable
- gross
- nauseating
- repellent
- villainous
- bilious
- vexing
- unholy
- revulsive
- noisome
- seamy
- god-awful
- beastly
- nauseous
- wretched
- crappy
- galling
- crummy
- lousy
- sucky
- repellant
- crumby
- cruddy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pleasant
- good
- nice
- agreeable
- congenial
- satisfying
- grateful
- welcome
- pleasurable
- delightful
- sweet
- gratifying
- palatable
- delicious
- friendly
- pleasing
- dreamy
- charming
- amiable
- jolly
- kindly
- cheery
- felicitous
- delectable
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of harsh are rough, rugged, scabrous, and uneven. While all these words mean "not smooth or even," harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.
a harsh fabric that chafes the skin
Although the words rough and harsh have much in common, rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.
a rough wooden board
While in some cases nearly identical to harsh, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.
a rugged landscape
The words scabrous and harsh are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.
a scabrous leaf
In some situations, the words uneven and harsh are roughly equivalent. However, uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.
an old house with uneven floors
- on review of
- on sale
- on sale or return
- on schedule
- on second thought
- on second thoughts
- on several counts
- on shaky ground
- on shipboard
- on short notice
- on short rations
- on show
- on sight
- on skid row
- on someone's account
- on someone's bad side
- on someone's behalf
- on someone's case
- on someone's command
- on someone's good side
- on someone's good/bad side
- on someone's mind
- on someone's own recognizance
- on someone's part
- on someone's person