harsh
Grating and unforgiving
Harsh describes something unpleasantly intense or severe.
Harsh light is too bright; harsh words are unkind or critical; a harsh climate is difficult to endure.
The word often suggests something grating or abrasive—a harsh sound, a harsh texture.
Harsh treatment or a harsh sentence implies excessive severity: The punishment seemed harsh for such a minor offense.
Crossed bars or harsh
- screechingMaking harsh high sounds
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- stridentHarsh and piercing
- raspingHarsh and grating
discordant · cacophony · raucous · shrill · gravelly · hoarse · scratchy · dissonant
Extremely and intensely cold
- blizzardViolent prolonged snowstorm
- arcticOf extreme northern cold
- glacialOf frozen rivers
- freezingExtremely cold
icy · bitter · bleak · inclement · windswept · barren · polar · frostbite
Extremely harsh or strict
- strictRigorous, without flexibility
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- punitiveInflicting or intending penalty
- draconianExtremely harsh, especially laws
rigid · uncompromising · authoritarian · demanding · exacting · tough · oppressive · unforgiving
Rough enough to erode
- coarseRough in texture
- roughUneven in surface
- scratchyRough and irritating
- sandpaperAbrasive-coated finishing material
gritty · bristly · raspy · chafing · prickly · jagged · uneven · raw
Sharp, unpleasant taste
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
- astringentTissue-contracting agent
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
sharp · sour · acidic · biting · tannic · alkaline · metallic · unpalatable
Severely and bitingly critical
- bitingHarshly critical or cold
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
withering · savage · stinging · merciless · unsparing · caustic · vitriolic · acerbic
Harshly conspicuous or bright
- blindingPainfully intense light
- brightEmitting or reflecting light
- starkSevere and unadorned
- fluorescentEmitting light when energized
unfiltered · intense · dazzling · brilliant · garish · piercing · unflattering · overexposed
grating
Crossed bars or harsh
- screechingMaking harsh high sounds
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- stridentHarsh and piercing
rasping · discordant · cacophony · raucous · shrill · gravelly · hoarse · scratchy · dissonant · earsplitting
frigid
Extremely and intensely cold
freezing · icy · bitter · bleak · inclement · windswept · barren · polar · frostbite · sleet
severe
Extremely harsh or strict
draconian · rigid · uncompromising · authoritarian · demanding · exacting · tough · oppressive · unforgiving · inflexible
abrasive
Rough enough to erode
sandpaper · gritty · bristly · raspy · chafing · prickly · jagged · uneven · raw · irritating
bitter
Sharp, unpleasant taste
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
- astringentTissue-contracting agent
caustic · sharp · sour · acidic · biting · tannic · alkaline · metallic · unpalatable · burning
scathing
Severely and bitingly critical
severe · withering · savage · stinging · merciless · unsparing · caustic · vitriolic · acerbic · blunt
glaring
Harshly conspicuous or bright
fluorescent · unfiltered · intense · dazzling · brilliant · garish · piercing · unflattering · overexposed · bleaching
- cold-heartedcallous, cold, cold-blooded, cold-hearted, cruel
- harsh tonessharp, biting, cutting, caustic, acerbic
- negative tonesangry, bitter, cynical, hostile, resentful
- Sensory Wordssight, sound, smell, taste, touch
- sound qualitiesloudness, pitch, tone, faintness, clarity
- speaking stylesarticulate, blunt, candid, conversational, casual
harshmild
Moderate in intensity
clement · balmy · temperate · hospitable · comfortable
- harsh realityUncomfortable actual circumstances
- harsh winterSeverely cold winter period
- harsh truthUncomfortable accurate statement
- harsh words
- harsh weatherSevere outdoor conditions
- harsh conditionsDifficult, severe circumstances