Harsh a. [Compar. Harsher superl. Harshest.]
1. Rough; disagreeable; grating; esp.: (a) disagreeable to the touch. “Harsh sand.” --Boyle. (b) disagreeable to the taste. “Berries harsh and crude.” --Milton. (c) disagreeable to the ear. “Harsh din.” --Milton.
2. Unpleasant and repulsive to the sensibilities; austere; crabbed; morose; abusive; abusive; severe; rough.
Clarence is so harsh, so blunt. --Shak.
Though harsh the precept, yet the preacher charmed. --Dryden.
3. Painting, Drawing, etc. Having violent contrasts of color, or of light and shade; lacking in harmony.
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harsh
adj 1: unpleasantly stern; "wild and harsh country full of hot sand
and cactus"; "the nomad life is rough and hazardous"
[syn: rough]
2: disagreeable to the senses; "the harsh cry of a blue jay";
"harsh cognac"; "the harsh white light makes you screw up
your eyes"; "harsh irritating smoke filled the hallway"
3: extremely unkind or cruel; "had harsh words"; "a harsh and
unlovable old tyrant"
4: severe; "a harsh penalty"
5: used of circumstances (especially weather) that cause
suffering; "brutal weather"; "northern winters can be
cruel"; "a cruel world"; "a harsh climate"; "a rigorous
climate"; "unkind winters" [syn: brutal, cruel, rigorous,
unkind]
6: sharply disagreeable; rigorous; "the harsh facts of court
delays"; "an abrasive character" [syn: abrasive]