harsh

adjective \ˈhärsh\

: unpleasant and difficult to accept or experience

: having an unpleasant or harmful effect because of great strength or force : too intense or powerful

: severe or cruel : not kind

Full Definition of HARSH

: having a coarse uneven surface that is rough or unpleasant to the touch

a : causing a disagreeable or painful sensory reaction : irritating

b : physically discomforting : painful

: unduly exacting : severe

: lacking in aesthetic appeal or refinement : crude

— harsh·ly adverb

— harsh·ness noun

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Origin of HARSH

Middle English harsk, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian harsk harsh

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to HARSH

Synonyms: bitter, brutal, burdensome, cruel, excruciating, grievous, grim, hard, hardhanded, heavy, inhuman, murderous, onerous, oppressive, rough, rugged, searing, severe, stiff, tough, trying

Antonyms: easy, light, soft

Synonym Discussion of HARSH

rough, harsh, uneven, rugged, scabrous mean not smooth or even. rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections on the surface <a rough wooden board>. harsh implies a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch <a harsh fabric that chafes the skin>. uneven implies a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality <an old house with uneven floors>. rugged implies irregularity or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty of travel <a rugged landscape>. scabrous implies scaliness or prickliness of surface <a scabrous leaf>.