harsh
🇺🇸
/hɑːrʃ/
🇬🇧
/hɑːʃ/
adjective
C1
cruel, severe, and unkind
The judge gave a harsh sentence to the criminal.
C1
very difficult and unpleasant to live in
The harsh desert climate makes survival tough.
C1
too strong and bright; ugly or unpleasant to look at
The harsh sunlight hurt my eyes.
C1
unpleasant to listen to
His harsh tone made everyone uncomfortable.
R
too strong and rough, likely to damage something
Avoid harsh chemicals that can harm surfaces.
translation
cruel, severe, and unkind; very difficult and unpleasant to live in; too strong and bright; ugly or unpleasant to look at; unpleasant to listen to; too strong and rough, likely to damage something
Word Forms
Comparative
harsher
Superlative
harshest