Need another word for Harshness? Use these synonyms of Harshness from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
severity
cruelty
brutality
ruthlessness
fierceness
intensity
bitterness
acrimony
asperity
austerity
crudeness
coarseness
roughness
gruffness
abruptness
curtness
bluntness
sharpness
tartness
sourness
unpleasantness
disagreeableness
offensiveness
nastiness
meanness
viciousness
ferocity
savagery
barbarity
inhumanity
mercilessness
pitilessness
heartlessness
callousness
Meaning of Harshness
The primary meaning of the word "Harshness" based on Oxford Languages is the quality of being unkind, cruel, or unpleasant.
Definitions
- The quality of being unkind, cruel, or unpleasant
- The quality of having a coarse, rough, or unpleasant quality
- The state of being severe, rigorous, or stringent
Etymology of Harshness
The word "Harshness" originates from the Old English word "heorþ" or "hearh", which meant "harsh" or "rough"
The word has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "harthiz", which is also the source of the Modern English word "hard"
Historically, the word "Harshness" has been used to describe a range of unpleasant or unkind qualities, from physical roughness to emotional cruelty
Example Uses
- The harshness of the winter weather made it difficult to travel
- The harshness of the critic's review was unsettling to the artist
- The harshness of the punishment did not fit the crime
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
gentleness
kindness
softness
mildness
pleasantness
agreeableness
friendliness
warmth
generosity
compassion
empathy
sympathy
tenderness
delicacy
subtlety
nuance
finesse
refinement
courtesy
politeness
consideration
thoughtfulness
tact
diplomacy