English word
Harsh
Definitions
adjective
- having a coarse uneven surface that is rough or unpleasant to the touch
- causing a disagreeable or painful sensory reaction : irritating
- : overly intense or powerful
- physically discomforting
- : unpleasant and difficult to accept or experience
- excessively critical or negative
- : unduly severe in making demands
- lacking in aesthetic appeal or refinement : crude
Synonyms for harsh
Closest evidence-backed alternatives.
Synonyms by context
Unpleasantly rough or jarring to see or look at
adjective
- grating
- jarring
- glaring
- blinding
- intense
- strong
- disagreeable
Unpleasantly rough or jarring in smell or taste
adjective
Unpleasantly rough or jarring to listen to
adjective
- raucous
- discordant
- cacophonous
- rasping
- strident
- dissonant
- hoarse
- guttural
- jangling
- unharmonious
(slang) To negatively criticize
verb
- criticise
- criticize
- bash
- disparage
- diss
- knock
- slam
- blast
- castigate
- chastise
(slang) To put a damper on
verb
- dampen
- curb
- deflate
- diminish
- inhibit
- lessen
- restrain
- smother
- squash
- stifle
Antonyms for harsh
Opposite of unpleasantly rough or jarring to see or look at
Opposite of unpleasantly rough or jarring in smell or taste
- palatable
- delicious
- tasty
- appetising
- appetizing
- enjoyable
- flavorful
- flavorous
- flavorsome
- flavourful
Opposite of unpleasantly rough or jarring to listen to
(slang) Opposite of to negatively criticize
- praise
- admire
- glorify
- revere
- adulate
- aggrandize
- dignify
- ennoble
- laud
- lionise
(slang) Opposite of to put a damper on
- brighten
- uplift
- elate
- enliven
- arouse
- better
- boost
- elevate
- enrich
- fire
Phrases
- extremely bright