harsh

adjective

ˈhärsh How to pronounce harsh (audio)
Definition of harshnext
1
as in tough
difficult to endure harsh conditions in the refugee camp

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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

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3
as in uncomfortable
causing discomfort the harsh northern climate

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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

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5
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally the harsh reality of failure harsh words of criticism from her music teacher

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6
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses winced at the harsh sound that the beginner violinist was making

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective harsh contrast with its synonyms?

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

When might rough be a better fit than harsh?

Although the words rough and harsh have much in common, rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.

a rough wooden board

When could rugged be used to replace harsh?

While in some cases nearly identical to harsh, rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.

a rugged landscape

When is scabrous a more appropriate choice than harsh?

The words scabrous and harsh are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.

a scabrous leaf

Where would uneven be a reasonable alternative to harsh?

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

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 harsh Avoid abrasive scrubbers or harsh chemicals that could scratch the surface and compromise the protective coating over time. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026 An even harsher government continues to crush popular opposition. — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026 Traditional fashion media may have backed away from harsh sartorial criticism, but the internet certainly hasn’t. — Derek C. Blasberg, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026 Hank's wife, Paulette, said the situation has taken a harsh toll on him. — Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harsh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harsh
  1. tough
  2. loud
  3. uncomfortable
  4. strict
  5. painful
  6. unpleasant
  7. oppressive
  8. ugly
Adjective
  • Space-grade electronics will cost more, and the ball’s shell—made from a material tough enough to roll over steel shards and withstand minus 184 °C temperatures—has never been evaluated in lunar extremes.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Democratic leaders face tough decisions on where to spend limited party resources to win the Senate majority.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • The satiety and blood-sugar argument keeps getting louder from clinicians.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Rooms All 195 rooms are dressed in a soft gray and blue palette, and the energy is calm and soothing after a day in one of the loudest parts of Manhattan.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of loud
Adjective
  • Unlike those folks from the other side of the country who fill cold-weather stadiums for bad teams during snowstorms and brag about it, the local sports fans stay away from struggling teams in uncomfortable situations and shrug about it.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This is uncomfortable to implement, because someone in legal, compliance or operations has to sign their name to a permanent record of judgment calls the business used to make quietly and never revisit.
    — Krupesh Bhat, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of uncomfortable
Adjective
  • Legitimate alcohol manufacturers use strict quality controls, and all their products undergo extensive testing, which is expensive and takes quite a bit of time.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026
  • California has strict laws aimed at preventing collisions between cars and bikes.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of strict
Adjective
  • Be sure to start below the injury and wrap upward, overlapping each layer but never so tightly that fingers or toes become numb or painful.
    — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Its absence does not make the eventual adjustment less painful.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of painful
Adjective
  • Discard soy sauce that smells unpleasant, has a sour taste, or contains mold.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Cedarwood Oil Cedarwood is another essential oil with an unpleasant smell to mice as well as other pests.
    — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • Among those waiting to meet the president was Leon Czolgosz, a 28-year-old anarchist who considered the government oppressive.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • People seem to be craving the scent of something cooling and quenching, an olfactive promise that less oppressive weather lies ahead.
    — April Long, Allure, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • The seventh-round rookie threw an ugly interception in the first quarter, while backpedaling and off his back foot.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Several leading Democrats, including Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, issued statements denouncing Piker’s ugly warning to the Jews as a barely veiled anti-Semitic threat.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of ugly

Browse Nearby Words

harrying
harsh
harshen
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Cite this Entry

“Harsh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harsh. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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