What is another word for harsh?

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Adjective (of things seen or through the sense of sight) Unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses grating jarring glaring glary blinding dazzling intense strong disagreeable rough grinding unaesthetic coarse bad displeasing grotesque nasty uncongenial unlovely unpleasant unpleasing unwelcome disturbing disagreeing “The harsh light from the sun made little Tommy squint through his glasses.” Adjective (of a smell or taste) Unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses pungent piquant sharp stiff acidic acrid bitter effluvial sour spicy stinging tangy acerb aromatic biting fiery hot overpowering peppery poignant rich spiced stinking strong tart vinegary zesty zingy distasteful rotten sharp-tasting unpalatable unsavouryUK unsavoryUS yucky yukky “Some consumers felt that the condiment was particularly harsh on their noses and tastebuds.” Adjective (of a sound or noise) Unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses raucous discordant cacophonous rasping strident dissonant hoarse guttural jangling unharmonious unmelodious brassy croaking raspy screeching clamorous ear-piercing ear-splitting grating grinding jarring metallic penetrating piercing riotous scratchy sharp shrill squawky tumultous tumultuous croaky gruff squawking squeaky tinny growling growly stridulant astringent blaring caterwauling clashing creaking earsplitting jangly noisy stridulous tuneless unmusical off-key out-of-key out-of-tune “He has a powerful, harsh voice that would carry well on a parade ground.” Adjective (of a surface) Not smooth rough rugged coarse jagged jaggy ragged rocky abrasive choppy grating roughened scraggy stony uneven scratchy unlevel bristly cracked craggy asperous hairy not smooth “I would not recommend walking over the harsh cobbled surface.” Adjective (of a person or governing body) Cruel or severe in nature cruel hard barbaric brutish draconian maleficent pitiless ruthless sadistic savage severe tormenting torturous truculent unsparing violent wolfish barbarous relentless unrelenting brutal callous inhuman mean oppressive stern unfeeling unkind abusive despotic dictatorial dour exacting heartless inhumane intolerant merciless tyrannical tyrannous unsympathetic austere authoritarian grim insensitive murderous onerous rough suppressive unforgiving unmerciful illiberal ramrod rigid unpitying critical flinty hardhanded hard-hearted heavy-handed hard-boiled hard-nosed hard-shell “Years of oppression by the harsh ruler would finally come to an end.” Adjective (of an action taken) Very severe or strict severe strict stringent extreme hard austere desperate dire draconian Draconian excessive forceful punishing punitive radical serious strong brutal cruel drastic firm heavy rigid stern stiff tough grim inflexible punitory rigorous uncompromising hardhanded “The country's leaders are considering harsh measures to deal with the discontent.” Adjective Severe and difficult to cope with severe tortuous austere grim hard harrowing stark bad burdensome comfortless grievous inhospitable onerous oppressive wretched bleak disagreeable inhuman intolerable rough rugged spartan stringent tough trying bare-bones barren bitter crushing desolate excruciating grinding hostile insufferable overwhelming searing Spartan unbearable unendurable unfriendly unpleasant wearing “Reports on harsh conditions for workers have been denied by the industry.” Adjective Ill-mannered in nature abusive acerbic derisive derogatory foul insulting obloquious offensive belittling berating defamatory degrading denigratory disdainful insolent obnoxious pejorative reproachful reviling sarcastic scathing scurrilous uncomplimentary unmannerly violent bitter calumniating contemptuous discourteous impolite rude sharp uncivil unfriendly vituperative vituperatory vulgar abrupt blunt brusque contumelious curt disparaging gruff short surly ungracious unkind bad-mannered disrespectful ill-mannered offhand “Tempers were frayed and harsh words would be exchanged.” Adjective Mentally difficult to come to terms with agonisingUK agonizingUS bitter excruciating heartrending cruel distressing galling grievous harrowing heartbreaking heart-rending hurtful insufferable painful tormenting torturous unbearable afflicting difficult gut-wrenching traumatic unendurable “He's been feeling rather low lately as he deals with the harsh reality of failure.” Adjective Capable of damaging or destroying organic matter coarse abrasive rough acrid burning corroding corrosive erosive mordant caustic strong “Be careful when handling those harsh cleaning solutions.” Adjective (of cold weather or climate) Bitterly cold cold bitter bleak brumal chilly cutting frigid frosty frozen gelid nipping nippy numbing piercing shivery snappy subzero sub-zero winteryUK wintryUS freezing hard icy severe arctic discomforting polar uncomfortable biting bone-chilling extreme glacial icy-cold nasty Siberian inclement intemperate wild bitterly cold “The explorers braved the harsh conditions to get to the summit.” Adjective (of aesthetic sense) Excessively showy or ornamented garish gaudy kitsch bright brilliant dazzling glaring ostentatious tawdry lurid noisy ornate overdone bold flashy crude loud showy vulgar “He showed up to the party dressed in harsh colors of blue and purple.” Verb (slang) To negatively criticize criticiseUK criticizeUS bash disparage diss knock slam blast castigate chastise chide crucify denigrate denunciate deprecate flame malign pan reprimand rip savage scathe clobber hammer lambaste pillory rap roast skewer slag slate sledge slug zap bag rubbish cut down find fault have a go at jump on pick to pieces nag at “Please don't harsh me too bad, but let me know what you think.” Verb (slang) To put a damper on dampen curb deflate diminish inhibit lessen restrain smother squash stifle depress mar ruin wreck spoil subdue mess up put a damper on “Dude, don't harsh my buzz.” Find more words! 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Sentences with the word harsh What is the meaning of the word harsh? Words that rhyme with harsh What is the past tense of harsh? What is the adjective for harsh? What is the adverb for harsh? What is the noun for harsh? Translations for harsh Use our Synonym Finder Watch and Learn Nearby Words harsh call harsh conditions harsh criticism harsh discipline harshed harshed one's mellow hars harry-longlegs harryings harrying harry harrows 5-letter Words Starting With h ha har hars