Meaning of harsh in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /hɑrʃ/

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  1. Classifying Adjective

    harsh

    Definitions

    1. unpleasantly stern

    Examples

    • « wild and harsh country full of hot sand and cactus »
    • « the nomad life is rough and hazardous »

    Synonyms

  2. 2. disagreeable to the senses

    Examples

    • « the harsh cry of a blue jay »
    • « harsh cognac »
    • « the harsh white light makes you screw up your eyes »
    • « harsh irritating smoke filled the hallway »

    Synonyms

  3. 3. extremely unkind or cruel

    Examples

    • « had harsh words »
    • « a harsh and unlovable old tyrant »

    Synonyms

  4. 4. severe

    Examples

    • « a harsh penalty »

    Synonyms

  5. 5. used of circumstances (especially weather) that cause suffering

    Examples

    • « brutal weather »
    • « northern winters can be cruel »
    • « a cruel world »
    • « a harsh climate »
    • « a rigorous climate »
    • « unkind winters »

    Synonyms

  6. 6. sharply disagreeable

    Examples

    • « rigorous »
    • « the harsh facts of court delays »
    • « an abrasive character »

    Synonyms

Famous quotes

  • « I will be as harsh as truth, and uncompromising as justice... I am in earnest, I will not equivocate, I will not excuse, I will not retreat a single inch, and I will be heard. »
    William Lloyd Garrison
  • « I was one of 14 senators to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act. I thought it was a harsh and unnecessary thing to do to people across this country who care enough about each other to want to be married. »
    Russ Feingold
  • « I do not want to admit to the world that I can be a bad person. It is just that I don't want anyone to have false expectations. Moviemaking is a harsh, volatile business, and unless you can be ruthless, too, there's a good chance that you are going to disappear off the scene pretty quickly. »
    Tom Hanks
  • « I remember I read this harsh review about my show, and one of my friends told me that this was the exact same stuff people said about Madonna. And it's like, she didn't care. Madonna just came out and was herself. I respect that a lot. »
    Britney Spears
  • « Unfortunately, little attention was paid to how Arafat ruled. In fact, some saw the harsh and repressive nature of Arafat's regime as actually bolstering the prospects for peace. »
    Natan Sharansky

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