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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of harshness
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
The texture is firm and mouth-filling, with the higher alcohol providing structure without harshness.
—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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
The texture is firm and mouth-filling, with the higher alcohol providing structure without harshness.
—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshness
Noun
-
In the case of Alito and Thomas, there is also a striking note of bitterness.
-
Looking back now, however, there is no bitterness attached to that chapter.
Noun
-
Emergency drain cleaning runs $400 to $1,000 or more, depending on severity.
-
While most wildfires in the past burned slowly across the forest floor, providing benefits to the forest, high-severity fires roar into the tops of the trees, burning 1,000 degrees or hotter, with flames that can reach 200 feet tall.
Noun
-
The state averages about eight unprovoked bites each year, according to the FWC, which runs a statewide program to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property.
-
Keeping bug spray handy can help protect against annoying bites, while placing citronella candles around your yard or patio can keep pests at bay, especially once the sun sets.
Noun
-
The Americans came out energized in the second half and a Berhalter banger from the edge of the penalty area tied it up 2-2 in the 49th minute.
-
The Samurai Blue have the edge on shots, 2-1, but Sweden has the lone shot on target so far through 25 minutes.
Noun
-
The result is an aesthetic that skillfully balances a variety of textures, including injecting Shou Sugi Ban custom treatments inspired by Japanese principles of wabi-sabi that typically employ elements of asymmetry, roughness, and simplicity.
-
Features such as surface roughness and protruding fibers create more sites where particles can stick to the outer surface rather than passing through.
Cite this Entry
“Harshness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshness. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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