1
as in tough
difficult to endure
harsh conditions in the refugee camp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uncomfortable
causing discomfort
the harsh northern climate
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harsh
Many fires are set by students protesting harsh discipline and poor conditions, researchers have found.
—
CNN Money, 28 May 2026
One key to that was the new dual-clutch paddle-shift transmission, replacing the sequential manual gearbox known for harsh shifts in many circumstances.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 28 May 2026
The internet can be a harsh place.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 27 May 2026
No getting around the fact that there’s been a harsh and destructive rotation away from medical device and ancillary health-care names.
—Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for harsh
CNN Money, 28 May 2026
One key to that was the new dual-clutch paddle-shift transmission, replacing the sequential manual gearbox known for harsh shifts in many circumstances.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 28 May 2026
The internet can be a harsh place.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 27 May 2026
No getting around the fact that there’s been a harsh and destructive rotation away from medical device and ancillary health-care names.
—Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for harsh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harsh
Adjective
-
Management has partly attributed the membership slowdown to tougher comparisons from a year earlier, but there’s more to the story.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
-
The California Assembly on Thursday overwhelming voted in favor of a bill that would prohibit children under 16 years old from having a social media account, setting up what is likely to continue to be a tough battle over the coming months.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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The style is quintessential Deborah—strong, bold, a little loud, yet classy.—
Rachel Wallace,
Architectural Digest,
29 May 2026
-
Like the Marrakech souks, Chatuchak is a full sensory experience of loud music, the smell of Thai street food and a buzzing, barter-friendly atmosphere.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
This is very far from the truth, as Alamo coaxes Maddy into a deeply uncomfortable conversation in his hot tub, underlining the uneven power dynamic.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
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Recent losses, outside criticism and a sense that the team’s identity has strayed from its original path have left LAFC in an uncomfortable position.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
Adjective
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Top oil-consuming countries have been releasing reserves to help offset shortfalls while other countries have enacted strict rationing policies.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
-
Guardiola worked hard in those first months to establish a close bond between the players, implementing strict rules designed to ensure certain behaviours became second-nature.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Adjective
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Loafers can sometimes feel weirdly stiff straight out of the box, but this popular Uptown pair skips that painful break-in phase.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2026
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But as the disease progressed, their relationship fractured in painful ways.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Artificial Grape Deterrent Birds find the compound methyl anthranilate unpleasant.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
24 May 2026
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Aside from an unpleasant taste and potentially foul odor, condiments that have been opened and sitting in your fridge for too long can cause illness.—
Arabella Hau,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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Another indigenous leader says another Gran Tierra practice is the most oppressive issue — gas flaring.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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People were craving the culture and art that had been suppressed during his oppressive reign.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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Lemieux was 37, and had a reputation as one of those players who knew where to be, and when, around the ugly areas on the ice in a playoff game.—
Mac Engel
May 29,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
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We, viewers and voters, are subjected to very ugly photographs and rhetoric.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harsh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harsh. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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