harsh Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite unpleasantly stern
    rough.
    • wild and harsh country full of hot sand and cactus
    • the nomad life is rough and hazardous
  2. adjective satellite disagreeable to the senses
    • the harsh cry of a blue jay
    • harsh cognac
    • the harsh white light makes you screw up your eyes
    • harsh irritating smoke filled the hallway
  3. adjective of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
    coarse.
    • coarse meal
    • coarse sand
    • a coarse weave
  4. adjective satellite unkind or cruel or uncivil
    rough.
    • had harsh words
    • a harsh and unlovable old tyrant
    • a rough answer
  5. adjective satellite severe
    • a harsh penalty
  6. adjective satellite sharply disagreeable; rigorous
    abrasive.
    • the harsh facts of court delays
    • an abrasive character

WordNet

Harsh adjective
Etymology
OE. harsk; akin to G. harsch, Dan. harsk rancid, Sw. härsk; from the same source as E. hard. See Hard, a.
Wordforms
comparative Harsher ; superlative Harshest
Definitions
  1. Rough; disagreeable; grating; esp.:(a) To the touch."Harsh sand." Boyle. (b) To the taste. "Berries harsh and crude." Milton. (c) To the ear. "Harsh din." Milton.
  2. Unpleasant and repulsive to the sensibilities; austere; crabbed; morose; abusive; abusive; severe; rough.
    Clarence is so harsh, so blunt. Shak.
    Though harsh the precept, yet the charmed. Dryden.
  3. (Painting, Drawing, etc.) Having violent contrasts of color, or of light and shade; lacking in harmony.

Webster 1913