Harshness refers to the quality of being severe, unkind, or unpleasant. It can describe physical attributes, such as a rough texture or piercing sound, as well as abstract qualities, like strictness, cruelty, or harsh criticism. Harshness often implies a lack of gentleness or compassion and is used in contexts ranging from describing weather conditions to personal interactions or environmental elements.
10 Sentences Using “Harshness”:
- The harshness of the winter made it difficult for the animals to survive.
- She was taken aback by the harshness of his words during the argument.
- The desert’s harshness tested the endurance of the explorers.
- His harshness as a coach motivated some players but discouraged others.
- The harshness of the lighting made the room feel uninviting.
- Her harshness in grading upset many of the students.
- The harshness of the sound made everyone cover their ears.
- The film depicted the harshness of life during the Great Depression.
- He apologized for the harshness of his tone during the meeting.
- The harshness of the punishment was questioned by many.
Synonyms of “Harshness”:
- Severity
- Cruelty
- Strictness
- Roughness
- Unkindness
- Brutality
- Intensity
- Rigidity
- Acerbity
- Sternness
Antonyms of “Harshness”:
- Gentleness
- Kindness
- Softness
- Mildness
- Compassion
- Tenderness
- Warmth
- Forgiveness
- Pleasantness
- Leniency
Related Words:
- Harsh
- Severe
- Rigorous
- Unforgiving
- Austere
- Rugged
- Toughness
- Abrasiveness
- Bitterness
- Ruthlessness
Related Expressions:
- “The harshness of reality” (the difficult or cruel nature of life).
- “Take the edge off” (to reduce harshness).
- “A bitter pill to swallow” (harsh truth or reality).
- “No sugarcoating” (straightforward harshness).
- “A rough edge” (harsh or unpleasant element).
- “Bare bones” (harsh, stripped-down reality).
- “Hard as nails” (showing emotional harshness).
- “Cutthroat environment” (harshly competitive).
- “The sting of harshness” (the pain caused by harshness).
- “Tough love” (showing harshness for someone’s benefit).
Related Phrasal Verbs:
- “Bear down on” (apply harshness or pressure).
- “Come down hard on” (punish or criticize harshly).
- “Lay into” (criticize someone harshly).
- “Toughen up” (become more resilient to harshness).
- “Turn against” (become harsh or unfriendly toward).
- “Strike out at” (react with harshness or aggression).
- “Push through” (endure harshness or difficulty).
- “Stand firm” (maintain position despite harshness).
- “Cut down” (criticize harshly).
- “Weed out” (remove with harsh scrutiny).
Related Idioms:
- “Hard pill to swallow” (something harsh or unpleasant to accept).
- “Bite the bullet” (face harshness or difficulty with courage).
- “Through the wringer” (subjected to severe harshness or difficulty).
- “On thin ice” (in a precarious or harsh situation).
- “The rough side of the tongue” (harsh criticism).
- “No holds barred” (without softening harshness).
- “Call a spade a spade” (expressing harsh truth directly).
- “Kick someone when they’re down” (showing harshness when someone is vulnerable).
- “Tough as old boots” (able to endure harshness).
- “A hard nut to crack” (someone or something resistant to change or harsh circumstances).
