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| harsh [ haarsh ] (comparative harsh·er, superlative harsh·est) |
adjective |
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| Definition: |
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1. difficult to endure: bleak or inhospitable and therefore difficult to endure
 a harsh winter
 harsh prison conditions
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2. severely critical: severely scrutinizing, critical, and rigid in manner
 harsh criticism
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3. punitive: exacting to the point of being punitive
 Harsh penalties will be imposed.
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4. jarring: jarring or unpleasant to the senses
 a harsh voice
 a harsh light
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| [14th century. Ultimately < Germanic] |
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 harsh·ly adverb |
 harsh·ness noun |
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