harsh /hɑːʃ $ hɑːrʃ/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: Probably from a Scandinavian language ]
1 . CONDITIONS harsh conditions are difficult to live in and very uncomfortable SYN severe :
The hostages are being held in harsh conditions.
harsh winter/weather/climate
the harsh Canadian winters
a young girl suddenly exposed to the harsh realities of life
2 . TREATMENT/CRITICISM severe, cruel, or unkind
harsh criticism/treatment/punishment etc
His theory met with harsh criticism from colleagues.
the harsh measures taken against the protesters
‘She’s an idiot!’ ‘Aren’t you being a bit harsh?’
a harsh authoritarian regime
He had harsh words (=severe criticism) for the Government.
3 . SOUND unpleasantly loud and rough OPP soft
harsh voice/laugh/tone etc
His voice was harsh and menacing.
4 . LIGHT/COLOUR unpleasantly bright OPP soft :
She stood outside, blinking in the harsh sunlight.
5 . LINES/SHAPES ETC ugly and unpleasant to look at:
the harsh outline of the factories against the sky
6 . CLEANING SUBSTANCE too strong and likely to damage the thing you are cleaning:
My skin is quite sensitive and I find some soaps too harsh.
—harshly adverb :
‘Shut up,’ Boris said harshly.
—harshness noun [uncountable]