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harsh
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- pronunciation:
- harsh
- features:
- Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| inflections: |
harsher, harshest |
| definition 1: |
When something is harsh, it gives you a bad feeling as if it could cause pain. It doesn't sound nice or feel nice.
He speaks in a harsh voice when he's angry.Those bright lights are too harsh.- antonyms:
- soft, sweet, tender
- similar words:
- hard, unpleasant
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| definition 2: |
When something is not pleasant and causes people or animals to have pain, injury, or trouble, we say it is harsh.
The governor believes in harsh punishment for criminals.The cold, harsh wind froze the man's cheeks.- antonyms:
- gentle
- similar words:
- hard, raw, rough, severe, stiff, tough, unpleasant, violent
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| definition 3: |
When someone is harsh to other people, it means that they are mean or cruel, or they punish people hard.
Their leader was a harsh man who was tough and sometimes cruel.- synonyms:
- demanding, severe, strict
- antonyms:
- gentle, kind, soft
- similar words:
- critical, hard, stern, tough, unkind
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| related words: |
acid, bitter, brutal, cruel, hoarse, loud, savage, sharp, shrill, terrible |
| derivations: |
harshly (adv.), harshness (n.) |
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