# harsh

/ˈhɑɹʃ/ (US) · /hˈɑːʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/harsh
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. severe or cruel

adjective · CEFR B2

very strict, unkind, or unfair.

For teachers: characterised by severity, cruelty, or an absence of leniency.

- The teacher's punishment seemed a bit harsh for such a small mistake.
- The judge was criticised for passing a harsh sentence that failed to account for the defendant's clean prior record.

### 2. unpleasant to the senses

adjective · CEFR B2

unpleasantly bright, loud, or rough.

For teachers: disagreeable to the physical senses due to excessive intensity or coarseness.

- The harsh light of the hospital room made my headache feel worse.
- The architect avoided using harsh fluorescent lighting, opting instead for recessed lamps that created a warmer atmosphere.

### 3. difficult conditions

adjective · CEFR B2

extremely difficult to live in or survive.

For teachers: describing environmental or living conditions that are rigorous or hostile to comfort.

- Few animals can survive the harsh winters in the high mountains.
- The expedition was forced to turn back after encountering harsh winds and visibility that dropped to near zero.

### 4. to ruin a mood

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

to spoil someone's good mood or to be unfairly critical.

For teachers: to dampen a positive atmosphere or to criticise someone in a way that ruins their enjoyment.

- I don't want to harsh your vibe, but we really need to talk about the bill.
- He didn't mean to harsh the party atmosphere, but his constant complaints about the music eventually drove several guests away.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'harsh my vibe'.

## Examples

- The winter wind feels very harsh today.
- The manager's harsh criticism during the meeting made the new employee feel quite discouraged.
- While the landscape appears beautiful from a distance, the harsh reality of the desert climate makes survival difficult for any species not specifically adapted to extreme aridity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.