Definition of Harsh

1. Adjective. Unpleasantly stern. "The nomad life is rough and hazardous"

Exact synonyms: Rough
Similar to: Unpleasant
Derivative terms: Harshness, Roughness

2. Adjective. Disagreeable to the senses. "Harsh irritating smoke filled the hallway"
Similar to: Unpleasant
Derivative terms: Harshness

3. Adjective. Of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles. "A coarse weave"

4. Adjective. Unkind or cruel or uncivil. "A rough answer"
Exact synonyms: Rough
Similar to: Unkind
Derivative terms: Harshness

5. Adjective. Severe. "A harsh penalty"
Similar to: Heavy

6. Adjective. Sharply disagreeable; rigorous. "An abrasive character"
Exact synonyms: Abrasive
Similar to: Disagreeable
Derivative terms: Abrasiveness, Harshness

Definition of Harsh

1. a. Rough; disagreeable; grating

Definition of Harsh

1. Adjective. Unpleasantly rough to the touch or other senses. ¹

2. Adjective. Severe or cruel. ¹

3. Verb. (intransitive slang) To negatively criticize. ¹

4. Verb. (transitive slang) to put a damper on (a mood). ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Harsh

1. severe [adj HARSHER, HARSHEST] : HARSHLY [adv] - See also: severe

Lexicographical Neighbors of Harsh

harrowingly
harrowings of hell
harrows
harrs
harrumph
harrumphed
harrumpher
harrumphers
harrumphing
harrumphingly
harrumphs
harry
harrying
harse
harses
harsh (current term)
harshed
harshen
harshened
harshening
harshens
harsher
harshes
harshest
harshing
harshlier
harshliest
harshly
harshness
harshnesses

Literary usage of Harsh

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (1839)
"A minute ago the boy had looked the quiet, mild, dejected creature that harsh treatment had made him. But his spirit was roused at last; the cruel insult to ..."

2. South Eastern Reporter by West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, West Publishing Company, South Carolina Supreme Court (1905)
"While we should always avoid giving to a criminal statute a construction, In case of doubt, which makes Its operation harsh or oppressive, ..."

3. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1918)
"Coat short and rough and very harsh. Boston Terrier.— This smart little dog is especially of American origin, having been raised in Boston and the nearby ..."

4. Dictionary of National Biography by LESLIE. STEPHEN (1895)
"The rule of the viceroys was harsh in the extreme; ' they wrought castles wide amongst the people, and poor folk oppressed ..."

5. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon (1887)
"... the military state of the empire under the гг;-. reigns of Valentinian and Valens. I. The ambassadors of the Alemanni had been offended by the harsh and ..."

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