harsher

Less gentle, meaner

Harsher is the comparative form of harsh—more severe, rough, or unpleasant.

Weather can be harsher in one region than another.

A critic's words may grow harsher over time.

Punishments, conditions, sounds, or judgments described as harsher exceed something else in their unpleasantness or severity: The sentence was harsher than anyone expected.

criticism

sharper

Gambling cheat or swindler

meanerMore unkind or stingy
cruelerMore disposed to harshness
unkinderMore lacking in gentleness

severity

crueler

More disposed to harshness

grimmerMore severe or bleak
bleakerMore devoid of cheer

taste

sharper

Gambling cheat or swindler

sourerMore acidic

abrasive

rougher

More coarse-textured

coarserMore rough-grained
grittierMore rough-textured
rawerMore unprocessed or inexperienced

discipline

stricter

More demanding, less forgiving

sternerMore demanding, less forgiving
tougherMore resistant to damage
firmerMore resistant to pressure

sound

shriller

Higher in pitch

raspierMore coarse-sounding
louderGreater in volume
noisierMore loud

Opposites

severity/intensity

harshermilder

Less intense or harsh

gentler · kinder · softer · smoother · silkier

sensory quality

harshersofter

More yielding to touch

smoother · gentler · mellower · silkier · sweeter

Phrases

harsh realityUncomfortable actual circumstances
harsh winterSeverely cold winter period
harsh truthUncomfortable accurate statement
harsh words
harsh weatherSevere outdoor conditions
harsh conditionsDifficult, severe circumstances

Family

harsh, harshness, harshly, harshest, harshed

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G