Word
harshness
Phoneticsharsh·ness, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɑɹʃnəs/
UK/hˈɑːʃnəs/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. rough or unkind treatment, words, or conditions that are hard to deal with. You use it for weather, voices, rules, or criticism that feels too strong.
n. severity or roughness in manner, treatment, conditions, or sensory effect, causing discomfort or difficulty to endure. Applies across physical, verbal, and environmental domains, from climate to criticism.
Examples
“We feel the harshness of winter on our skin.”
“The new manager softens the harshness of the layoff news with clear support for staff.”
“Despite the harshness of the desert light, which bleaches colour from every surface, the travellers find a stark clarity in the landscape that city life never offers.”
Examples
simple
“We feel the harshness of winter on our skin.”
contextual
“The new manager softens the harshness of the layoff news with clear support for staff.”
complex
“Despite the harshness of the desert light, which bleaches colour from every surface, the travellers find a stark clarity in the landscape that city life never offers.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “harshness” in context.
Verb
01. endure harshness
“These plants are bred to endure the harshness of mountain weather.”
verb + noun
02. harshness fades
“As spring arrives, the harshness of winter finally fades.”
noun + verb
03. harshness shocks
“The harshness of the punishment shocked the entire community.”
noun + verb
04. harshness stings
“The harshness of his words still stings when I think about it.”
noun + verb
05. reduce harshness
“Wearing a scarf can reduce the harshness of cold air on your throat.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. excessive harshness
“Many parents complained about the excessive harshness of the new school rules.”
adj + noun
07. extreme harshness
“Refugees struggled to survive the extreme harshness of the desert winter.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. degree of harshness
“The degree of harshness in his tone surprised even his friends.”
noun + prep + noun
09. harshness of criticism
“She could not forget the harshness of criticism from her first coach.”
noun + prep + noun
10. harshness of punishment
“Human rights groups condemned the harshness of punishment in the prison.”
noun + prep + noun
11. harshness of winter
“The harshness of winter makes life difficult for elderly people.”
noun + prep + noun
12. endure the harshness of winter
“Homeless people struggle to endure the harshness of winter every year.”
Etymology
From Middle English harsknes; equivalent to harsh + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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