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HARSH | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
HARSH | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
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English
Meaning of harsh in English
harshadjective uk
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/hɑːʃ/ us
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/hɑːrʃ/
harsh adjective
(UNKIND)
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C1 unpleasant, unkind, cruel, or more severe than is necessary: harsh criticism The children had had a harsh upbringing. We thought the punishment was rather harsh for such a minor offence. "There is no alternative," she said in a harsh voice.harsh word He said some harsh words (= spoke unkindly) about his brother. Synonyms
austere
barbaric
barbarous formal
bleak
brutal
callous
comfortless formal
cruel
despotic
hard (SEVERE)
inhospitable (PLACE)
inhuman
rough (DIFFICULT)
sadistic
savage
severe (VERY SERIOUS)
spartan
tyrannical
tyrannous
vicious
More examplesFewer examplesThe harsh light revealed every crevice and wrinkle in his face.In a harsh economic climate, raises for teachers have become a lightning rod for criticism.The book confronts the harsh social and political realities of the world today.The prison sentence seemed rather harsh, considering the triviality of the offence.The people rebelled against the harsh new government.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Unkind, cruel & unfeeling
acerbic
acerbically
acerbity
acidly
anti-cruelty
cold-heartedly
cruel
cruelly
cruelty
cruelty to someone/something
meanly
meanness
mental cruelty
merciless
mercilessly
trenchancy
trenchant
trenchantly
uncharitable
uncharitably
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Severe
harsh adjective
(TOO STRONG)
C1 too strong, bright, loud, etc.: harsh chemicals/lighting Synonyms
cacophonous
discordant
dissonant formal or specialized
grating
shrill
strident (LOUD)
tunelessOpposites
euphonious formal
harmonious (MUSIC)
melodious formal
tuneful
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
The qualities of colour
analogous
brightly
brightness
colourful
colourfully
darkness
fluorescent
muddy
neutrally
non-complementary
non-fluorescent
non-yellowing
over-bright
psychedelic
vibrancy
vibrantly
violent
vivid
vividly
vividness
See more results »
Related words
harshly
harshness
(Definition of harsh from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)
harsh | American Dictionary
harshadjective [ -er/-est only ] us
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/hɑrʃ/
harsh adjective [-er/-est only]
(UNKIND)
Add to word list
Add to word list
unkind or cruel: harsh criticism
harsh adjective [-er/-est only]
(SEVERE)
severe and unpleasant: a harsh winter harsh lighting
(Definition of harsh from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
Examples of harsh
harsh
The arithmetic was sufficiently unfavourable, even in the short term, that harsh measures were required.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
That frustration expressed itself in harsh censure of a metropolis where success apparently had to be won at the price of personal honour.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
The trade unions' complaints and demands concentrated on the low wages, the harsh working and living conditions and-of crucial importance-the exploitative kangany-system.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Complex sensing and actuation systems may be prone to failure in the harsh environment.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Similarly, parents who are understandably worried about the influence of older peers in such neighborhoods may be overly restrictive and harsh in parenting their offspring.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
A genetically informed study of the association between harsh punishment and offspring behavioral problems.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Harsh tax enforcement in situations with poor service delivery may thus contribute to further undermining the legitimacy of the government and increase tax resistance.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Valves of the throat 173 categories: two involving modal vocal register, one with breathy vocal register and five showing harsh vocal register.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Others promote theory as essential for survival in an ever-evolving, sometimes very harsh, technology-driven marketplace.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
The lessons were harsh but inevitable; this was an education in organizational virtue.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Their adaptations have made them robust and resilient to natural disturbances and harsh climatic conditions.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
The harsh antiparty politics and discourse of the 1973 military dictatorship had proximate historical antecedents.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Along with the harsh conditions in the southern and western circuits, the distance justices traveled in those circuits could itself be grueling.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
I proposed one year because the climate was very harsh, parasites and malaria were endemic, and there was very little food.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
There was a latent risk of 'architectural overstretch' - an architect's dream that would sink on such harsh facts as land ownership, financial and legal control.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
See all examples of harsh
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
What is the pronunciation of harsh?
C1,C1
Translations of harsh
in Chinese (Traditional)
令人不快的, 嚴酷的, （無端地）嚴厲的…
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in Chinese (Simplified)
令人不快的, 严酷的, （无端地）严厉的…
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in Spanish
duro, fuerte, agresivo…
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in Portuguese
severo, duro, áspero…
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in more languages
in Marathi
in Japanese
in Turkish
in French
in Catalan
in Dutch
in Tamil
in Hindi
in Gujarati
in Danish
in Swedish
in Malay
in German
in Norwegian
in Urdu
in Ukrainian
in Russian
in Telugu
in Arabic
in Bengali
in Czech
in Indonesian
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in Polish
in Korean
in Italian
कठोर, अति जहाल, चकचकीत…
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厳しい, 辛らつな, 強すぎる…
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kaba, sert, acımasız…
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dur/dure, difficile, criard/-arde…
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dur, fort…
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wreed, bars, hard…
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விரும்பத்தகாத, இரக்கமற்ற, கொடூரமான அல்லது தேவையானதை விட கடுமையானது…
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कठोर, निर्मम, तेज़…
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કઠોર, કડક, જલદ…
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hård, streng…
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hård, sträng, skärande…
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keras, garau, garang…
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hart, rau, grell…
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hard, streng, skarp…
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سخت, بے رحم, تیز…
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жорстокий, суворий, неприємний…
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резкий, суровый, суровый (о климате)…
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కఠినమైన/ అసహ్యకరమైన, దయలేని, క్రూరమైన లేదా అవసరమైన దానికంటే తీవ్రమైన…
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وَقِح, قاسٍ…
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কঠোর, খুব শক্তিশালী, উজ্জ্বল…
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krutý, drsný, ostrý…
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kejam, keras…
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หยาบ, แสบ (แก้วหู)…
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nghiêm khắc, lỗ mãng, khó nghe…
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surowy, ostry, chrapliwy…
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가혹한, 너무 강력한…
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duro, stridulo, tagliente…
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harrumphed
harrumphing
harry
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harsh
harshly
harshness
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Contents
English
Adjective
harsh (UNKIND)
harsh (TOO STRONG)
American
Adjective
harsh (UNKIND)
harsh (SEVERE)
Examples
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HARSH Synonyms: 357 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus
HARSH Synonyms: 357 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus
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Est. 1828
Thesaurus
Synonyms of harsh
as in tough
as in loud
as in uncomfortable
as in strict
as in painful
as in unpleasant
as in toughas in loudas in uncomfortableas in strictas in painfulas in unpleasant
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harsh
adjective
Definition of harsh
1
as in tough
difficult to endure
harsh conditions in the refugee camp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
tough
oppressive
brutal
searing
rough
severe
hard
cruel
grim
trying
heavy
bitter
bleak
painful
rugged
onerous
inhuman
burdensome
murderous
grievous
excruciating
stiff
unpleasant
uncomfortable
strict
unbearable
inhospitable
bad
rigorous
hardhanded
austere
stringent
forbidding
overwhelming
spartan
discomforting
inclement
intemperate
biting
comfortless
crushing
hostile
agonizing
wild
intolerable
disagreeable
wretched
unfriendly
insufferable
harrowing
heartbreaking
tortuous
unendurable
grinding
heartrending
insupportable
wearing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
easy
light
soft
comfortable
pleasant
luxurious
friendly
agreeable
cozy
hospitable
peaceful
genial
mild
gentle
moderate
tolerable
restful
relaxing
calm
bearable
snug
painless
temperate
balmy
endurable
reposeful
clement
See More
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
loud
ugly
grotesque
jarring
unpleasant
grating
disgusting
unaesthetic
acid
tawdry
unpleasing
gaudy
bizarre
garish
flashy
tacky
odd
disagreeable
repulsive
inartistic
tasteless
vulgar
obscene
repugnant
uncouth
clumsy
crude
rude
artless
inelegant
uncultured
dissonant
raucous
jolting
shocking
unrefined
gross
unmusical
inharmonious
outlandish
raspy
ragged
unartistic
kinky
graceless
discordant
disharmonious
unmelodious
clashing
off-key
blaring
jangling
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
aesthetic
beautiful
artistic
esthetic
artful
attractive
good
becoming
agreeable
harmonious
appealing
pleasing
aesthetical
soothing
comely
felicitous
comforting
subdued
softened
calming
esthetical
elegant
gracious
graceful
polished
refined
seemly
harmonizing
tasteful
cultured
See More
3
as in uncomfortable
causing discomfort
the harsh northern climate
Synonyms & Similar Words
uncomfortable
sore
painful
miserable
torturous
awkward
comfortless
disturbing
discomforting
distressing
aching
hurting
nasty
cramping
cumbersome
uneasy
agonizing
upsetting
inconvenient
excruciating
ungainly
stinging
smarting
pinching
prickling
chafing
pricking
itching
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
comfortable
easy
soothing
comfy
soft
cozy
restful
relaxing
cushy
snug
easeful
reposeful
See More
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
tough
strict
authoritarian
rigorous
stern
rigid
severe
hard
merciless
relentless
hardened
gruff
austere
flinty
heavy-handed
demanding
steadfast
unforgiving
ramrod
pitiless
adamant
uncompromising
callous
exacting
stiff
unrelenting
bullying
uncharitable
implacable
unyielding
unbending
unsparing
inflexible
ascetic
dour
hard-line
determined
ascetical
unflinching
immovable
adamantine
hard-hearted
monastic
monkish
obstinate
ossified
intractable
resolved
dogged
firm
rock-ribbed
single-minded
browbeating
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
gentle
lenient
easy
tolerant
lax
indulgent
mild
soft
forbearing
kind
easygoing
merciful
charitable
patient
undemanding
accepting
clement
responsive
willing
yielding
laid-back
agreeable
softhearted
flexible
amenable
compliant
compromising
pliable
complaisant
acquiescent
pliant
See More
5
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
the harsh reality of failure harsh words of criticism from her music teacher
Synonyms & Similar Words
painful
cruel
torturous
bitter
horrible
terrible
hurtful
severe
harrowing
agonizing
unacceptable
awful
excruciating
grievous
unbearable
galling
dreadful
bad
tormenting
intolerable
miserable
heartrending
dire
insufferable
afflicting
extreme
intense
appalling
unendurable
nasty
vile
ghastly
acute
insupportable
unsupportable
wretched
rotten
piercing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
sweet
pleasing
gratifying
tolerable
bearable
sustainable
endurable
acceptable
supportable
reasonable
survivable
livable
allowable
sufferable
liveable
See More
6
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
winced at the harsh sound that the beginner violinist was making
Synonyms & Similar Words
unpleasant
unpleasing
bad
bitter
nasty
ugly
sour
horrible
awful
disgusting
sickening
rotten
disagreeable
unwelcome
wicked
shocking
distasteful
uncongenial
dreadful
unpalatable
unlovely
displeasing
hideous
unsavory
icky
annoying
vile
yucky
hateful
obnoxious
sick
yukky
irritating
appalling
horrid
hellish
odious
loathsome
repulsive
obscene
offensive
repugnant
abominable
horrendous
invidious
abhorrent
ghastly
revolting
scandalous
foul
gross
aggravating
repellent
villainous
bilious
nauseating
unholy
miserable
seamy
beastly
vexing
nauseous
gnarly
noisome
revulsive
god-awful
wretched
galling
repellant
crummy
crappy
lousy
sucky
crumby
cruddy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
pleasant
good
nice
agreeable
grateful
welcome
satisfying
congenial
pleasurable
gratifying
palatable
delightful
delicious
sweet
pleasing
friendly
charming
dreamy
amiable
jolly
kindly
delectable
felicitous
cheery
See More
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
Articles Related to harsh
Scientific Words for Harsh Speech
They may bite, burn, or leave a bad taste.
Thesaurus Entries Near harsh
harrying
harsh
harshen
See More Nearby Entries
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“Harsh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harsh. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024.
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Nglish: Translation of harsh for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of harsh for Arabic Speakers
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Harsh Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
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Est. 1828
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harsh
adjective
ˈhärsh
Synonyms of harsh
1
: having a coarse uneven surface that is rough or unpleasant to the touch
granite stones harsh with lichen—Nancy Hale
2
a
: causing a disagreeable or painful sensory reaction : irritating
harsh colors harsh lighting her harsh high-pitched voice The horseradish was too harsh for the children.
: overly intense or powerful
harsh chemicals
b
: physically discomforting
The climate there is very harsh. a harsh winter
: unpleasant and difficult to accept or experience
the harsh realities of poverty a harsh reminder of the importance of wearing a seat belt
3
: excessively critical or negative
had some harsh words for her opponent a harsh critic
: unduly severe in making demands
harsh discipline
4
: lacking in aesthetic appeal or refinement : crude
a harsh and sometimes unpleasant book, barren of pretty touches—Brendan Gill
harshly
adverb
harshness
noun
Synonyms
bitter
brutal
burdensome
cruel
excruciating
grievous
grim
hard
hardhanded
heavy
inhuman
murderous
onerous
oppressive
rough
rugged
searing
severe
stiff
tough
trying
See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for harsh
rough, harsh, uneven, rugged, scabrous mean not smooth or even. rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface.
a rough wooden board
harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch.
a harsh fabric that chafes the skin
uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality.
an old house with uneven floors
rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel.
a rugged landscape
scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface.
a scabrous leaf
Examples of harsh in a Sentence
The climate there is very harsh.
We've had an extremely harsh winter.
It's time for her to face the harsh realities of this situation.
The accident serves as a harsh reminder of the importance of wearing a seat belt.
The lighting in the room was very harsh.
The state has established harsh penalties for drug dealers.
She has been criticized for her harsh treatment of her students.
He was sentenced to a harsh prison term.
He had harsh words for his opponent.
She has faced some extremely harsh criticism.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
But in his Thursday statement, Díaz-Canel, who is also the first secretary of the Communist Party, had harsh words for Gil.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024
The injury scare helped shield the Lakers from some of the harsher truths about their second-quarter collapse.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Its stainless steel construction holds up to harsh weather while resisting rusting.
—Samantha S. Thorpe, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2024
Homendy’s comments also brought harsh criticism from Ohio’s other senator, Democrat Sherrod Brown.
—Chris Isidore, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024
Trump used heated rhetoric to warn of the dangers of migrants and instituted harsh and controversial policies, including separating families at the border.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024
Some of the most striking consequences are occurring within the more outward-facing parts of Haredi society, according to polling data, Haredi experts and even some of their harshest secular critics.
—Natan Odenheimer, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024
But even in the increasingly harsh climate, flora, fauna and the people of the Timbisha Shoshone tribe learned to adapt and thrive.
—Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024
As a population explosion is poised to happen around the equator, where the effects of climate change will be harshest, a protein that grows in extreme environments could be critical.
—Claire Turrell, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'harsh.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English harsk, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian harsk harsh
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of harsh was
in the 14th century
See more words from the same century
Articles Related to harsh
Scientific Words for Harsh Speech
They may bite, burn, or leave a bad taste.
Dictionary Entries Near harsh
Harsanyi
harsh
harshen
See More Nearby Entries
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Merriam-Webster
“Harsh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harsh. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024.
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Kids Definition
harsh
adjective
ˈhärsh
1
: disagreeable to the touch
2
: causing discomfort or pain
3
: making many or difficult demands : severe
harsh discipline
4
: not pleasant to the artistic sense
harsh colors
harshly
adverb
harshness
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on harsh
Nglish: Translation of harsh for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of harsh for Arabic Speakers
Last Updated:
11 Mar 2024
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HARSH Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com
HARSH Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com
GamesDaily CrosswordWord PuzzleWord FinderAll gamesFeaturedWord of the DaySynonym of the DayWord of the YearNew wordsLanguage storiesAll featuredPop cultureSlangEmojiMemesAcronymsGender and sexualityAll pop cultureWriting tipsGrammar Coach™Writing hubGrammar essentialsCommonly confusedAll writing tipsGamesFeaturedPop cultureWriting tipsharsh[ hahrsh ]show ipaSee synonyms for: harshharsherharshestharshly on Thesaurus.comadjectiveungentle and unpleasant in action or effect: harsh treatment; harsh manners.grim or unpleasantly severe; stern; cruel; austere: a harsh life; a harsh master.physically uncomfortable; desolate; stark: a harsh land.unpleasant to the ear; grating; strident: a harsh voice; a harsh sound.unpleasantly rough, ragged, or coarse to the touch: a harsh surface.jarring to the eye or to the esthetic sense; unrefined; crude; raw: harsh colors.unpleasant to the taste or sense of smell; bitter; acrid: a harsh flavor; a harsh odor.See moreOrigin of harsh1First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English harsk; cognate with German harsch,Danish harsk “rancid”synonym study For harsh2. See stern1. Other words for harsh2 brusque, hard, unfeeling, unkind, brutal, acrimonious, bad-tempered 3 rough 4 discordant, dissonant, unharmonious 6 unestheticSee synonyms for harsh on Thesaurus.comOther words from harshharshly, adverbharshness, nouno·ver·harsh, adjectiveo·ver·harsh·ly, adverbo·ver·harsh·ness, nounun·harsh, adjectiveun·harsh·ly, adverbWords Nearby harshharrowharrowingharrumphharryHarry PotterharshharshenharsletHarstadhartHartackDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024How to use harsh in a sentenceFirst, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and several other stars went public with harsh criticism of the NBA’s decision to pursue an All-Star Game in March.The NBA’s week of controversies show how hard life is outside of the bubble | Ben Golliver | February 12, 2021 | Washington PostThey used sophisticated tools, made art, and established themselves in some very harsh environments.What happens when you replace a human gene with its Neanderthal version? | John Timmer | February 11, 2021 | Ars TechnicaLook for heated mittens if you experience harsh wintersAlthough the best mittens come with a built-in warmth boost, in certain conditions, that might not be quite enough.Best mittens: Keep your hands cozy | PopSci Commerce Team | February 8, 2021 | Popular-ScienceBetween 29,000 and 14,000 years ago, a harsh Ice Age took hold.Harsh Ice Age winters may have helped turn wolves into dogs | Bruce Bower | February 3, 2021 | Science News For StudentsHis early prosecutorial appointments, however, do not show signs of worshipping a harsh Old Testament god.The Return of the Regulators | by Jesse Eisinger | February 2, 2021 | ProPublicaWhy, some might be asking, am I being so harsh on their work so soon after they died?Trolls and Martyrdom: Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie | Arthur Chu | January 9, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd, she added, “In other neighborhoods, I feel they are a little harsh.”Ground Zero of the NYPD Slowdown | Batya Ungar-Sargon | January 1, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTYour letter highlights so many of the harsh realities trans people face, specifically in regard to how society rejects us.Dear Leelah, We Will Fight On For You: A Letter to a Dead Trans Teen | Parker Molloy | January 1, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTYour death is symbolic of the harsh reality facing so many of us.Dear Leelah, We Will Fight On For You: A Letter to a Dead Trans Teen | Parker Molloy | January 1, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTBut this was the year when criticism of said women finally got the harsh words it deserved.Renée Zellweger Got a New Face—and Everyone Had An Opinion About It | Kevin O’Keeffe | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhere these overtones are interfered with by any imperfection in the instrument the result is a harsh or imperfect sound.Expressive Voice Culture | Jessie Eldridge SouthwickA car conductor is instructed to treat passengers civilly and to use no harsh means with them, save in extreme cases.Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesIn the humour her spouse was then in she had better have remained silent—she told him, that he was harsh and unjust.The World Before Them | Susanna Moodie“He hath told us already, Princess,” said the other, his harsh accents sounding more like the snarl of a wolf than a human voice.The Red Year | Louis TracyHe was considered a harsh Governor because his martial law administration was characterized by severe punishment for wrongdoing.Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia | Dorothy M. TorpeySee More ExamplesBritish Dictionary definitions for harshharsh/ (hɑːʃ) /adjectiverough or grating to the sensesstern, severe, or cruelverb(tr) slang to cause (a state of elation) to be diminished or ended (esp in the phrases harsh someone's mellow and harsh someone's buzz)Origin of harsh1C16: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Middle Low German harsch, Norwegian harsk rancidDerived forms of harshharshly, adverbharshness, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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HARSH | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
HARSH | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
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English
Meaning of harsh in English
harshadjective us
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/hɑːrʃ/ uk
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/hɑːʃ/
harsh adjective
(UNKIND)
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C1 unpleasant, unkind, cruel, or more severe than is necessary: harsh criticism The children had had a harsh upbringing. We thought the punishment was rather harsh for such a minor offense. "There is no alternative," she said in a harsh voice.harsh word He said some harsh words (= spoke unkindly) about his brother. Synonyms
austere
barbaric
barbarous formal
bleak
brutal
callous
comfortless formal
cruel
despotic
hard (SEVERE)
inhospitable (PLACE)
inhuman
rough (DIFFICULT)
sadistic
savage
severe (VERY SERIOUS)
spartan
tyrannical
tyrannous
vicious
More examplesFewer examplesThe harsh light revealed every crevice and wrinkle in his face.In a harsh economic climate, raises for teachers have become a lightning rod for criticism.The book confronts the harsh social and political realities of the world today.The prison sentence seemed rather harsh, considering the triviality of the offense.The people rebelled against the harsh new government.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Unkind, cruel & unfeeling
acerbic
acerbically
acerbity
acidly
anti-cruelty
cold-heartedly
cruel
cruelly
cruelty
cruelty to someone/something
meanly
meanness
mental cruelty
merciless
mercilessly
trenchancy
trenchant
trenchantly
uncharitable
uncharitably
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Severe
harsh adjective
(TOO STRONG)
C1 too strong, bright, loud, etc.: harsh chemicals/lighting Synonyms
cacophonous
discordant
dissonant formal or specialized
grating
shrill
strident (LOUD)
tunelessOpposites
euphonious formal
harmonious (MUSIC)
melodious formal
tuneful
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
The qualities of color
analogous
brightly
brightness
colorful
colorfully
fluorescent
jazzy
muddily
muddy
neutrally
non-complementary
non-fluorescent
non-yellowing
psychedelic
tonal
ultra-bright
unshaded
vibrancy
vibrantly
vivid
See more results »
Related words
harshly
harshness
(Definition of harsh from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)
harsh | Intermediate English
harshadjective [ -er/-est only ] us
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/hɑrʃ/
harsh adjective [-er/-est only]
(UNKIND)
Add to word list
Add to word list
unkind or cruel: harsh criticism
harsh adjective [-er/-est only]
(SEVERE)
severe and unpleasant: a harsh winter harsh lighting
(Definition of harsh from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
Examples of harsh
harsh
Sweet pleads with the prosecutors for a harsher sentence during the meeting.
From New York Daily News
They're busy and stressed, so they're too lenient one day and too harsh the next.
From The Atlantic
Lock-jawed and locked down, he is harsh, judgmental, emotionally withholding.
From Huffington Post
The price others paid for resisting was, of course, even harsher.
From NPR
It's worth doing the reading, but he needs a harsh sentence.
From CBS Local
Please, do the research before you pass such harsh judgement in the future.
From CNN
Inquisitors would go out into troublesome regions, question people intensively, conduct tribunals and mete out punishments, sometimes harsh ones, like burning at the stake.
From Huffington Post
All writers know this harsh reality, because in our world the work we do each day is representative of our value.
From Huffington Post
By knowing the harsh realities that lie ahead, you can be prepared when they come about.
From VentureBeat
It's brutally beautiful but a brutally harsh environment.
From CNN
The first federal judge to oversee the case thought the mandatory minimum was too harsh.
From CNN
If there was any suspense, it was whether the punishment would be harsher.
From Bloomberg
This is a defense tactic to try to get a less harsh sentence, and it is unfortunate.
From Dallas Morning News
We are often much more harsh with ourselves than we are with a friend, or a total stranger.
From Huffington Post
School choice has historically led to harsh debates in this country.
From New York Daily News
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
What is the pronunciation of harsh?
C1,C1
Translations of harsh
in Chinese (Traditional)
令人不快的, 嚴酷的, （無端地）嚴厲的…
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in Chinese (Simplified)
令人不快的, 严酷的, （无端地）严厉的…
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in Spanish
duro, fuerte, agresivo…
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in Portuguese
severo, duro, áspero…
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in more languages
in Marathi
in Japanese
in Turkish
in French
in Catalan
in Dutch
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कठोर, अति जहाल, चकचकीत…
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厳しい, 辛らつな, 強すぎる…
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kaba, sert, acımasız…
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dur/dure, difficile, criard/-arde…
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dur, fort…
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wreed, bars, hard…
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விரும்பத்தகாத, இரக்கமற்ற, கொடூரமான அல்லது தேவையானதை விட கடுமையானது…
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कठोर, निर्मम, तेज़…
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કઠોર, કડક, જલદ…
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hård, streng…
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hård, sträng, skärande…
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keras, garau, garang…
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hart, rau, grell…
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hard, streng, skarp…
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سخت, بے رحم, تیز…
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жорстокий, суворий, неприємний…
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резкий, суровый, суровый (о климате)…
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కఠినమైన/ అసహ్యకరమైన, దయలేని, క్రూరమైన లేదా అవసరమైన దానికంటే తీవ్రమైన…
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وَقِح, قاسٍ…
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কঠোর, খুব শক্তিশালী, উজ্জ্বল…
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krutý, drsný, ostrý…
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kejam, keras…
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หยาบ, แสบ (แก้วหู)…
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nghiêm khắc, lỗ mãng, khó nghe…
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surowy, ostry, chrapliwy…
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가혹한, 너무 강력한…
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duro, stridulo, tagliente…
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harrumphed
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harshness
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Contents
English
Adjective
harsh (UNKIND)
harsh (TOO STRONG)
Intermediate
Adjective
harsh (UNKIND)
harsh (SEVERE)
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Definition of harsh adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
harsh adjective /hɑːʃ/ /hɑːrʃ/(comparative harsher, superlative harshest)
jump to other results
cruel, severe and unkindThe punishment was harsh and unfair.The minister received some harsh criticism.the harsh treatment of prisonersHe regretted his harsh words.We had to face up to the harsh realities of life sooner or later.It may seem harsh to criticize him after his death.‘She's just totally useless!’ ‘That's a bit harsh.’Topics Personal qualitiesc1Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbsappearbeprove…adverbextremelyfairlyvery…See full entry
Questions about grammar and vocabulary?
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(of weather or living conditions) very difficult and unpleasant to live ina harsh winter/wind/climatethe harsh conditions of poverty which existed for most people at that timeWordfinderaridclimatecontinental climateequatorialfrigidharshhumidityrainfalltropicalzoneExtra ExamplesMany of the prisoners died during the harsh winter of 1683.Life expectancy is extremely low due to the harsh conditions.These plants will not grow in this harsh climate.
too strong and bright; ugly or unpleasant to look atharsh coloursShe was caught in the harsh glare of the headlights.the harsh lines of concrete buildings opposite softExtra ExamplesThey've painted the walls with harsh bright colours.He stood outside, blinking in the harsh sunlight. unpleasant to listen to‘Stop it!’ she said in a harsh voice. too strong and rough and likely to damage somethingharsh detergentsOrdinary soap can be too harsh for delicate skin. Word OriginMiddle English: from Middle Low German harsch ‘rough’, literally ‘hairy’, from haer ‘hair’.See harsh in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee harsh in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic EnglishCheck pronunciation:
harsh
Nearby words
harry verb
Harry
harsh adjective
harshly adverb
harshness noun
boost
verb
From the Topic
Change, cause and effect
B2
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HARSH Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com
HARSH Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com
GamesDaily CrosswordWord PuzzleWord FinderAll gamesFeaturedWord of the DaySynonym of the DayWord of the YearNew wordsLanguage storiesAll featuredPop cultureSlangEmojiMemesAcronymsGender and sexualityAll pop cultureWriting tipsGrammar Coach™Writing hubGrammar essentialsCommonly confusedAll writing tipsGamesFeaturedPop cultureWriting tipsharsh[ hahrsh ]show ipaSee synonyms for: harshharsherharshestharshly on Thesaurus.comadjectiveungentle and unpleasant in action or effect: harsh treatment; harsh manners.grim or unpleasantly severe; stern; cruel; austere: a harsh life; a harsh master.physically uncomfortable; desolate; stark: a harsh land.unpleasant to the ear; grating; strident: a harsh voice; a harsh sound.unpleasantly rough, ragged, or coarse to the touch: a harsh surface.jarring to the eye or to the esthetic sense; unrefined; crude; raw: harsh colors.unpleasant to the taste or sense of smell; bitter; acrid: a harsh flavor; a harsh odor.See moreOrigin of harsh1First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English harsk; cognate with German harsch,Danish harsk “rancid”synonym study For harsh2. See stern1. Other words for harsh2 brusque, hard, unfeeling, unkind, brutal, acrimonious, bad-tempered 3 rough 4 discordant, dissonant, unharmonious 6 unestheticSee synonyms for harsh on Thesaurus.comOther words from harshharshly, adverbharshness, nouno·ver·harsh, adjectiveo·ver·harsh·ly, adverbo·ver·harsh·ness, nounun·harsh, adjectiveun·harsh·ly, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024How to use harsh in a sentenceJulio Cardenas, 25 and an MC from the group RCA, was older but with a youthful smile that hid the harsher sides of Cuban life.Cuban Hip-Hop Was Born in Alamar | Daniel Levin | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTImagine how much harsher that joke would sound coming from someone who sets out to shock, like Sarah Silverman.Jenny Slate’s Earnest and Funny Abortion Film ‘Obvious Child’ | Caryn James | June 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTheir proposal is relatively mild only because they know nothing harsher would see the light of day in the Senate.Republicans for More Fat Kids | Michael Tomasky | May 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSo will the grandmother-to-be inspire female voters next cycle, or will they judge her on a harsher scale?Can Hillary Clinton Count on Women This Time? | Keli Goff | April 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe world of The Walking Dead is a harsher place than that and its characters will suffer a lot more than Brad Pitt ever did.What ‘The Walking Dead’ Can Learn From ‘World War Z’ | Melissa Leon | February 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn the present case, both this and is are unaccented, which is much harsher than when this bears an accent.Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems | Geoffrey ChaucerUnder the latter he was deprived of his preferment in Oxford, and under a harsher rule might have incurred yet graver penalties.The English Church in the Eighteenth Century | Charles J. Abbey and John H. OvertonThis is the more significant in that the Central Authority, in one case at least, had tried a harsher expedient.English Poor Law Policy | Sidney WebbShe had been a model as a child, with blurred memories of older and harsher beings about her who had long since faded away.The Woman Gives | Owen JohnsonCalavius was furious and paused, as if to give orders for harsher repression.The Lion's Brood | Duffield OsborneSee More ExamplesBritish Dictionary definitions for harshharsh/ (hɑːʃ) /adjectiverough or grating to the sensesstern, severe, or cruelverb(tr) slang to cause (a state of elation) to be diminished or ended (esp in the phrases harsh someone's mellow and harsh someone's buzz)Origin of harsh1C16: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Middle Low German harsch, Norwegian harsk rancidDerived forms of harshharshly, adverbharshness, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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HARSH | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary
HARSH | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary
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Meaning of harsh – Learner’s Dictionary
harshadjective uk
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/hɑːʃ/ us
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harsh adjective
(CRUEL)
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cruel, unkind, or unpleasant in a way that seems unfair: harsh criticism/punishment Taking him out of the game was a bit harsh.
harsh adjective
(DIFFICULT)
very cold, dangerous, or unpleasant and difficult to live in: harsh conditions
harsh adjective
(STRONG)
too strong, bright, loud, etc: harsh chemicals harsh lighting
harshly adverb harshness noun [ U ]
(Definition of harsh from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
Translations of harsh
in Chinese (Traditional)
令人不快的, 嚴酷的, （無端地）嚴厲的…
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in Chinese (Simplified)
令人不快的, 严酷的, （无端地）严厉的…
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in Spanish
duro, fuerte, agresivo…
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in Portuguese
severo, duro, áspero…
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कठोर, अति जहाल, चकचकीत…
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厳しい, 辛らつな, 強すぎる…
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kaba, sert, acımasız…
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dur/dure, difficile, criard/-arde…
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dur, fort…
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wreed, bars, hard…
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விரும்பத்தகாத, இரக்கமற்ற, கொடூரமான அல்லது தேவையானதை விட கடுமையானது…
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कठोर, निर्मम, तेज़…
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કઠોર, કડક, જલદ…
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hård, streng…
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hård, sträng, skärande…
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keras, garau, garang…
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hart, rau, grell…
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hard, streng, skarp…
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سخت, بے رحم, تیز…
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жорстокий, суворий, неприємний…
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резкий, суровый, суровый (о климате)…
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కఠినమైన/ అసహ్యకరమైన, దయలేని, క్రూరమైన లేదా అవసరమైన దానికంటే తీవ్రమైన…
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وَقِح, قاسٍ…
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কঠোর, খুব শক্তিশালী, উজ্জ্বল…
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krutý, drsný, ostrý…
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kejam, keras…
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หยาบ, แสบ (แก้วหู)…
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nghiêm khắc, lỗ mãng, khó nghe…
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surowy, ostry, chrapliwy…
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가혹한, 너무 강력한…
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duro, stridulo, tagliente…
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harp on (about sb/sth)
harpoon
harrowing
Harry
harsh
harvest
has
has-been
hash
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/rɪˈspɑːns/
an answer or reaction
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Contents
Learner’s Dictionary
Adjective
harsh (CRUEL)
harsh (DIFFICULT)
harsh (STRONG)
Adverb
harshly
Noun
harshness
Translations
Grammar
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