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harsh
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- pronunciation:
- harsh
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| inflections: |
harsher, harshest |
| definition 1: |
rough and unpleasant to the senses, esp. hearing.
The branches made a harsh screeching noise as they scraped the window.Cherry flavoring covers up the harsh taste of the medicine.- synonyms:
- rough
- antonyms:
- dulcet, mellifluous, smooth, soft, subdued, sweet, tender
- similar words:
- abrasive, acrid, discordant, dissonant, grating, gravelly, gruff, guttural, hard, jangling, jarring, ragged, raspy, stark, unpleasant
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| definition 2: |
rough and unpleasant in effect or action.
Flogging was a harsh but common punishment aboard ship.I turned my collar up against the harsh wind.It was a harsh remedy, but it achieved good results.
- antonyms:
- benign, gentle, mild
- similar words:
- abrasive, acrid, caustic, hard, raw, rigorous, rough, rude, rugged, severe, stiff, tough, unpleasant, violent
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| definition 3: |
severe or demanding.
The sergeant was a harsh taskmaster.If you continue to be so harsh with the child, he will grow up to resent you.- synonyms:
- demanding, severe, strict
- antonyms:
- clement, gentle, kind, lenient, mild, soft
- similar words:
- critical, dour, grim, hard, oppressive, relentless, rigorous, rugged, stern, stringent, tough, unkind
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| related words: |
abusive, acid, biting, bitter, brutal, cruel, cutting, drastic, ferocious, grueling, gruff, hoarse, hostile, inhuman, invective, loud, pitiless, savage, sharp, shrill, terrible, virulent |
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| derivations: |
harshly (adv.), harshness (n.) |
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