harshness Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the roughness of a substance that causes abrasions
abrasiveness; scratchiness.
noun the quality of being unpleasant (harsh or rough or grating) to the senses
roughness.
noun the quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance
cruelty; cruelness.
noun excessive sternness
stiffness; severity; severeness; inclemency; rigor; rigorousness; rigour; hardness; rigourousness.
- severity of character
- the harshness of his punishment was inhuman
- the rigors of boot camp

The quality or state of being harsh.
O, she is Ten times more gentle than her father 's crabbed, And he's composed of harshness. Shak.

'Tis not enough no harshness gives offense, The sound must seem an echo to the sense. Pope.
Syn. -- Acrimony; roughness; sternness; asperity; tartness. See Acrimony.