harsh

adjective

UK /hɑː(r)ʃ/

Word Forms

adjective	harsh
comparative	harsher
superlative	harshest

1
harsh conditions or places are unpleasant and difficult to live in
the harsh environment of the desert
Ilie remembers the harsh living conditions in Romania.
Synonyms and related words
Not pleasant and enjoyable
unpleasant
bad
awful
1. 1a
  harsh weather is extremely cold and unpleasant
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe unpleasant weather
  severe
  harsh
  threatening
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe cold weather
  cold
  crisp
  brisk
2
harsh actions, words, judgments, or laws are strict, unkind, and often unfair
Harsh words were spoken in the dressing room after the match.
The judge is known for his harsh sentences.
harsh on:
The law has been harsher on soldiers than it has on civilians.
Synonyms and related words
Cruel and unkind
cruel
unkind
evil
Synonyms and related words
Unfair
unfair
unjust
unequal
3
harsh sounds are unpleasant because they are not soft, gentle, or smooth
He had a loud harsh voice.
Synonyms and related words
Describing sounds that are unpleasant to listen to
tuneless
monotonous
harsh
1. 3a
  harsh colours or lights are not pleasant because they are very bright
  the harsh glare of a naked light bulb
  Synonyms and related words
  Bright and shiny
  bright
  shiny
  brilliant
  Synonyms and related words
  General words used to describe colours
  ablaze
  a riot of something
  bleached
4
harsh facts are unpleasant but true
This was Tim’s first experience of the harsh realities of life.
Synonyms and related words
True, definite and based on facts
true
certain
objective
5
harsh substances are very powerful and may damage the things that they are used on
harsh cleaning chemicals
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe properties of substances
absorbent
astringent
harsh

harsh

adjective

US /hɑrʃ/

Word Forms

adjective	harsh
comparative	harsher
superlative	harshest

1
harsh conditions or places are unpleasant and difficult to live in
the harsh environment of the desert
Ilie remembers the harsh living conditions in Romania.
Synonyms and related words
Not pleasant and enjoyable
unpleasant
bad
awful
1. 1a
  harsh weather is extremely cold and unpleasant
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe unpleasant weather
  severe
  harsh
  threatening
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe cold weather
  cold
  crisp
  brisk
2
harsh actions, words, judgments, or laws are strict, unkind, and often unfair
Harsh words were spoken in the dressing room after the game.
The judge is known for his harsh sentences.
harsh on:
The law has been harsher on soldiers than it has on civilians.
Synonyms and related words
Cruel and unkind
cruel
unkind
evil
Synonyms and related words
Unfair
unfair
unjust
unequal
3
harsh facts are unpleasant but true
This was Tim’s first experience of the harsh realities of life.
Synonyms and related words
True, definite and based on facts
true
certain
objective
4
harsh sounds are unpleasant because they are not soft, gentle, or smooth
He had a loud harsh voice.
Synonyms and related words
Describing sounds that are unpleasant to listen to
tuneless
monotonous
harsh
1. 4a
  harsh colors or lights are not pleasant because they are very bright
  the harsh glare of a naked light bulb
  Synonyms and related words
  Bright and shiny
  bright
  shiny
  brilliant
  Synonyms and related words
  General words used to describe colors
  ablaze
  a riot of something
  bleached
5
harsh substances are very powerful and may damage the things that they are used on
harsh cleaning chemicals
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe properties of substances
absorbent
astringent
harsh

harsh

verbinformal

1
harsh on someone
to be unduly critical of someone
The bottom line is that I don’t want to harsh on anyone’s good time.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 09/10/2017
Open Dictionary - October2017
2
harsh sb’s mellow/buzz
to spoil someone’s mood with negative comments or attitudes
I don’t want to harsh anyone’s mellow.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 09/10/2017
Open Dictionary - October2017

Verb☞harsh

harsh ​‌‌

harsh ​‌‌

harsh

harsh on someone

harsh sb’s mellow/buzz

harsh

harsh