harshness
Lack of gentleness
Harshness is the quality of being severe, rough, or unpleasant.
The word applies across sensory and social domains: the harshness of winter weather, the harshness of fluorescent lighting, the harshness of a critic's review.
What connects these is an absence of gentleness or moderation—something that grates rather than soothes.
Penalty for an offense
- strictnessInflexibility in enforcement
- rigorStrict, thorough precision
- austerityEnforced economic stringency
- brutalitySavage, merciless behavior
cruelty · discipline · mercilessness · draconian · inflexibility · unforgiving · pitiless · ruthlessness
Abrasive-coated finishing material
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- scourClean by hard rubbing
- scrubClean by rubbing hard
- coarseRough in texture
rough · scratchy · rasp · file · pumice · emery · grindstone · exfoliate
Sharp, unpleasant taste
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
- acidicBelow neutral pH
- acerbicSharp and biting
astringent · biting · sharp · vinegary · corrosive · stinging · tart · burning
Of extreme northern cold
- blizzardViolent prolonged snowstorm
- scorchingExtremely hot, burning
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
- inhospitableUnwelcoming, harsh to visitors
barren · frostbite · heatstroke · windburn · blistering · frigid · brutal · unforgiving
Crossed bars or harsh
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- stridentHarsh and piercing
- cacophonousHarsh and jarring
- discordantLacking musical agreement
shrill · piercing · rasping · screeching · grinding · dissonant · clanging · squealing
Judgment of faults
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- invectiveAbusive denunciation
- vitriolBitter, scathing criticism
scathing · cutting · blistering · scorn · denunciation · berating · tongue-lashing · reprimand
Strict or ship's aft
- authoritarianFavoring absolute control
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- rigidUnable to bend
- austereSeverely simple and unadorned
demanding · uncompromising · exacting · dour · grim · brusque · curt · blunt
punishment
Penalty for an offense
- strictnessInflexibility in enforcement
- rigorStrict, thorough precision
- austerityEnforced economic stringency
brutality · cruelty · discipline · mercilessness · draconian · inflexibility · unforgiving · pitiless · ruthlessness · heavy-handed
sandpaper
Abrasive-coated finishing material
coarse · rough · scratchy · rasp · file · pumice · emery · grindstone · exfoliate · sander
bitter
Sharp, unpleasant taste
acerbic · astringent · biting · sharp · vinegary · corrosive · stinging · tart · burning · irritating
arctic
Of extreme northern cold
inhospitable · barren · frostbite · heatstroke · windburn · blistering · frigid · brutal · unforgiving · punishing
grating
Crossed bars or harsh
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- stridentHarsh and piercing
- cacophonousHarsh and jarring
discordant · shrill · piercing · rasping · screeching · grinding · dissonant · clanging · squealing · earsplitting
criticism
Judgment of faults
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- invectiveAbusive denunciation
vitriol · scathing · cutting · blistering · scorn · denunciation · berating · tongue-lashing · reprimand · scolding
stern
Strict or ship's aft
- authoritarianFavoring absolute control
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- rigidUnable to bend
austere · demanding · uncompromising · exacting · dour · grim · brusque · curt · blunt · cold
- intimidation traitsaggression, dominance, hostility, ruthlessness, fierceness
- roughnessroughness, coarseness, grittiness, bumpiness, abrasiveness
- ruggedheavy-duty, toughness, reinforced, durability, hardened
- sound qualitiesloudness, pitch, tone, faintness, clarity
- speech tonessarcasm, sincerity, formality, informality, politeness
- unpleasantnesspain, anger, sadness, misery, disgust
harshnesssoftness
Yielding to gentle pressure
smoothness · gentleness · silkiness · tenderness · suppleness
harshnesskindness
Considerate, caring disposition
gentleness · tenderness · compassion · benevolence · kindliness
harshnessmildness
Gentle, moderate quality
clemency · gentleness · hospitability · balminess · pleasantness
harsh, hardship, hardness, harshly, hardships, harshest, harsher, harshed, hardnesses