harshly

adverb

Definition of harshlynext
as in severely
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering treated the prisoners harshly, and many died

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 harshly Yust also alleges prosecutorial misconduct, arguing that a prosecutor improperly urged jurors to sentence him more harshly because of the emotional impact of the trial on them. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 She was especially hurt that some of the people who criticized Cox most harshly, dismissing him as craven and disingenuous, were those who had the closest relationships with him. — Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 And violations of public trust are typically judged quite harshly. — Roger J. Kreuz, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026 Tariff Refunds Spark Political Debate Democratic lawmakers have harshly criticized corporations receiving millions in tariff refunds without passing those benefits on to consumers. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Republican lawmakers have largely remained silent about the conditions on the Lincoln – not harshly criticizing the administration, but not defending it either. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026 At the final stop, so to speak, before Antarctica, the weather is harshly volatile, and in the wilderness surrounding the few small cities and towns, civilization dwindles almost to nothing. — Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026 And then, the organization's chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, harshly came out against the plan, releasing a statement to the Associated Press, saying FIFA's staff had been blindsided by it. — Rafael Nam, NPR, 31 July 2026 Like other senior bankers, Sehnaoui was harshly criticized following Lebanon's historic economic meltdown in 2019, when most people lost access to their money. — ABC News, 29 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshly
  1. severely
  2. oppressively
  3. brutally
  4. hard
Adverb
  • Ford Motor is increasing production of its crucial F-Series trucks after fires at an aluminum supplier severely impacted output over the past year.
    — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The water supply system for the park was also severely damaged, along with part of a new $208 million water pipeline project that was underway near the ranch.
    — Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of severely
Adverb
  • The summer had seen Europe endure an oppressively dry, hot summer, which had seen wildfires spring up across the continent.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • After a bit of a reprieve from an oppressively hot summer, another heat wave is set to scorch Southern California this week.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of oppressively
Adverb
  • Sandra Bullock's brutally honest daughter is all for her mother dating again.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike in Libya, where Moammar Gadhafi and his son Mutassim were captured and killed by rebels within months, the Assad regime retained its grip on power for years, brutally crushing protesters in the process.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of brutally
Adverb
  • Some days, trying harder just gives the problem more opportunities to annoy you.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • General Daily Insight for September 01, 2026 Some days, trying harder just gives the problem more opportunities to annoy you.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of hard

Browse Nearby Words

harshens
harshly
harshness
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Cite this Entry

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

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