harshness

noun

Definition of harshnessnext
1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality there was a harshness about her voice that made her an unlikely but surprisingly evocative singer of torch songs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in severity
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism) was surprised at the harshness of the choirmaster's criticism, since he was usually pretty easygoing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of harshness Reparations are about exercising a radical vision, thinking beyond the harshness of life, and knowing that something better is possible. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 The harshness of the response suggested that after nearly five decades of trying to negotiate with the SSPX, the Holy See has had enough. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 The harshness of the response suggested that after trying to negotiate with the SSPX, the Vatican under Leo XIV had had enough. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Sunlight naturally sanitizes, and air drying prevents the harshness of high heat. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 29 June 2026 Yet the harshness of humanity has been constantly rescued by our capacity to create and love. — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 Read more Amid the harshness of Jim Crow, Walker accomplished what seemed impossible. — Vivian Yee, New York Times, 20 June 2026 Then there is the harshness of space. — Sven Bilén, The Conversation, 16 June 2026 There is no lag to anticipate and no visual harshness pulling attention away from the music. — William Jones, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshness
  1. bitterness
  2. severity
  3. bite
  4. edge
  5. roughness
Noun
  • Little united the Syrian rebels during the country’s civil war from 2011 to 2024 outside of their hatred of Assad, and Damascus has sought to cultivate this memory of bitterness to keep the country’s disparate groups together.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The tea supplies tannins and bitterness while maple and orange recreate that familiar balance of sweet, bitter and citrus.
    — Ryan Brennan August 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of bitterness
Noun
  • But researchers stress that the more concerning trends are the severity of the injuries and the fact that they’re especially pronounced among children.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers found a relationship between the apparent covertness of the recording devices and the severity of the harassment.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of severity
Noun
  • There was a corn shucking contest, elote corn bites at concession stands and fans decked out in corn costumes or hats.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
  • There will also be six freshly shucked oysters and caviar bites paired with Italian wines.
    — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of bite
Noun
  • In addition, Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb were the only edge-rushing outside linebackers on the field for the Bills’ first-team defense.
    — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • And this year, the popular concept will be revisited in a new mid-top form, giving the shoe an even more boot-like edge.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • According to the company, the platform delivers high critical-dimension uniformity, low line-edge roughness, and a large process window across an entire wafer.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
  • It’s formulated with key ingredients such as Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 to smooth out the skin’s texture, including roughness and crow’s feet.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 21 July 2026
Definition of roughness

Browse Nearby Words

harshly
harshness
harum-scarum
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Cite this Entry

“Harshness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshness. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on harshness

Nglish: Translation of harshness for Spanish Speakers

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