adj., harsh·er, harsh·est.
- Unpleasantly coarse and rough to the touch. See synonyms at rough.
- Disagreeable to the senses, especially to the sense of hearing.
- Severe, cruel, or exacting: harsh punishment; a harsh overseer.
- Unpleasant or uncomfortable: a harsh wilderness.
[Middle English harsk, of Scandinavian origin.]
harshly harsh'ly adv.harshness harsh'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
