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ADJECTIVE harsh COMPARATIVE harsher SUPERLATIVE harshest
B2

harsh English

Meaning harsh meaning

What does harsh mean?
Definitions in simple English

harsh

When someone is harsh, that person is very unpleasant, rough and cruel. Our school's discipline master is very harsh on people who break the school rules.

harsh

(= rough) unpleasantly stern wild and harsh country full of hot sand and cactus the nomad life is rough and hazardous disagreeable to the senses the harsh cry of a blue jay harsh cognac the harsh white light makes you screw up your eyes harsh irritating smoke filled the hallway (= rough) unkind or cruel or uncivil had harsh words a harsh and unlovable old tyrant a rough answer severe a harsh penalty (= abrasive) sharply disagreeable; rigorous the harsh facts of court delays an abrasive character (= coarse) of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles coarse meal coarse sand a coarse weave

Synonyms harsh synonyms

What other words have the same or similar meaning as harsh?

Topics harsh topics

What do people use harsh to talk about?

Examples harsh examples

How do I use harsh in a sentence?

Simple sentences

I am not used to harsh climate as I come from South countries.
This country has a harsh climate.
In this harsh, petty world where money does the talking, his way of life is like a breath of fresh air.
I didn't mean to sound so harsh.
You don't have to use such a harsh tone with me.
This towel is harsh to the touch.
She grew up in the harsh environment of New York City.
It's harsh, but fair.
He is a harsh critic.
She's a harsh critic.
We should act righteously and must remember that the future will pass a harsh judgement on our actions.
Because of Tom's harsh words, Mary felt as if she had plunged into the depths of misery.
Perhaps I was too harsh on Tom.
Spacesuits protect spacewalkers from the harsh environment of space.
Such harsh words!
We must adapt to today's harsh realities.
Their punishment was harsh, but just.
The Law is harsh, but it is the Law.
Jail is a very harsh punitive measure.
The world is harsh.
Don't be so harsh on me please.
Tom is harsh.
Don't be so harsh on yourself.

Movie subtitles

Why is Venus such a harsh, hideous environment, some 600 degrees Celsius or so?
Forgive me. For nine years I served her without a harsh word from her.
You think I'm harsh with you, eh?
They're not like us, Fletcher. You think I was harsh with you.
This may seem harsh but when a mob takes it upon itself to identify, try, condemn and punish it is a destroyer of a government that patriots died to establish and defend.
It's harsh with that sad associations and other people being so dreadfully unkind.
I don't want to seem too harsh.
Don't be so harsh! I'm sure you and my Sisters agree.
That's a harsh word, Inspector.
The law's pretty harsh around here on cattle thieves.
Harsh words to throw at a man when he's walking out of your bedroom.
I may sound harsh, but believe me.
So you'll have to be harsh for their own good.
The memory of your harsh words may have tormented her as she died.
That seems a little harsh.
My advice, sir, if you'll take it, is not to be too harsh with them.
Harsh things were said, but I hoped the return trip would be better.
And you see it really is our fault, and if you're not too harsh on them I think they'll behave in future.
Well, perhaps I was a little harsh.
Or do you too find your queen's face too harsh for kindly glances?
Don't be so harsh!
Randolph, don't be harsh.
Don't you think you're being a little harsh with him?
But dear Illustrissimus, why be so harsh right away?
Aren't you a little harsh?
Destiny has been harsh.
It seems harsh!
You dirty, low-down, good-for-nothing. oh, now, don't say those mean, harsh things to your brand-new husband.
A little harsh, isn't it?
Upon my soul, I married a cute woman, but she is harsh. They twist me round their little fingers!
Harsh or not, the story we had had a certain appeal for my father.
Your husband would be harsh you'd have no time to play.
I don't mean to be harsh, but.
That's harsh talk, Mr. McIvers.
Why are you being so harsh with me?
I confess I said a few harsh things.
He didn't mean to be harsh, dear.
If I've sounded harsh or unkind it's because you're resisting me.

News and current affairs

Whatever US courts say about it, abducting people all over the world, locking them up for years without establishing that they are guilty of anything, and subjecting them to harsh and abusive treatment is a flagrant violation of international law.
Djindjic's murder shows that the situation is so dire that aid should no longer be strictly conditional on harsh reforms.
The financial crisis has inflicted hardship on a population that does not like to face harsh reality.
Instead, they imposed harsh terms, hoping to weaken Germany permanently.
Public education is becoming universally available, including for groups that faced harsh discrimination in the past.
This judgment may be too harsh, because we do not know whether the EU and the single market would have survived without the single currency.
They will not get to discuss the protection of citizen's rights, relaxation of harsh media controls, the rights of peasants to migrate or take up jobs in the cities, or whether to tolerate workers who organize independent unions.
DUBAI - No visitor to the Middle East can avoid noticing the yawning gap between the educational, entrepreneurial, and occupational aspirations of the region's young people and the harsh reality that deprives so many of them of a positive future.
People who know the frightening neighborhood of Tor di Quinto, where Giovanna Reggiani was killed have harsh words to say about the neglect and indifference of Rome's city government.
The consequence of Tudjman's policies - always projected in a harsh, bullying style - led to Croatia's isolation from Europe and America.
Instead, they emphasized harsh austerity, which was to be pursued everywhere.
In Israel, there was harsh criticism of political and military chiefs alike, who were blamed for the loss of 3,000 soldiers in a war that ended without a clear victory.
Tax evasion is usually confronted in two ways: audits and harsh sanctions.
The biggest danger posed by that rather abrupt and harsh process of transformation is that, in trying to become open, a society risks disintegrating in the effort.
No population in the world is spared from the harsh treatment of such a system.
Calling this a Ponzi scheme might be too harsh.
American society has become increasingly harsh, where the richest Americans buy their way to political power, and the poor are abandoned to their fate.
The harsh truth is that the US interprets the Vienna Convention restrictively at home but liberally overseas, in order to shield even the military and intelligence contractors that it sends abroad.
For the time being, harsh policies toward the Muslim Brotherhood are likely to be confined to Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
In the case of Argentina, a pair of massive IMF loans in 2000 and 2001 ultimately only delayed the inevitable harsh adjustment, and made the country's ultimate default even more traumatic.
From the beginnings of life on earth, organisms have been exposed to potentially harsh conditions, with individual cells commonly exposed to toxic substances such as chemicals and radiation.
Nor should it issue harsh rebukes to its allies when they do not follow suit, as it did when the United Kingdom announced its intention to join the new China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Liu's harsh prison sentence was meant as an exemplary measure, a stern warning to all other Chinese who might want to follow his path.
Calling this a Ponzi scheme might be too harsh. But few financial professionals have been fooled.
America's belief that a harsh sanctions regime could coax Iran into a deal has proved - at least so far - to be unrealistic.
Yes, a harsh sanctions regime might still gain additional supporters, but an Iran with its back against the wall would probably be even more obstinate in its nuclear drive.
What does it stand to gain from nuclear status if it comes at the cost of regional isolation and harsh United Nations sanctions for the foreseeable future?
Yet, despite the harsh rhetoric, when Miss Bardot and Mayor Basescu met, they parted with a kiss.

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