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harshness
/ˈhɑːrʃnəs/
severity or roughness
The harshness of the winter winds made it difficult to go outside.
The extreme severity of the cold winds made outdoor activities unpleasant.
general
The quality of being cruel, severe, or unkind in manner or attitude.
The teacher's harshness towards the students was criticized by parents.
Parents complained about the teacher's unkind and strict behavior.
Often used to describe people's behavior, conditions, or environments that are unpleasant or punishing.
general
The quality of being physically rough or unpleasant to the senses.
The harshness of the fabric made it uncomfortable to wear.
The rough texture of the fabric caused discomfort.
Can refer to textures, sounds, or environmental conditions like light or weather.
general
The quality of being excessively strict or demanding in rules or standards.
The harshness of the competition rules eliminated many participants.
The overly strict competition rules caused many to fail.
Common in contexts like sports, exams, or organizational policies.
Collocations
harsh realitythe unpleasant truthharsh conditionsdifficult or extreme circumstancesharsh wordsunkind or critical speech
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'harshness'
While 'harshness' is useful, it can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Consider alternatives like 'strictness' or 'severity' depending on context.
Gold Rule
Use 'harshness' for severity, not intensity
Harshness implies cruelty or roughness, not just high intensity. For example, 'harsh criticism' (unkind) vs. 'intense criticism' (strong but not necessarily unkind).
Word Origin
From Middle English 'harshen' (to make rough), derived from Old English 'heorþ' (hard, harsh) + '-ness' (suffix forming nouns). Related to Old Norse 'harðr' (hard) and German 'hart' (hard).
Usage Notes
Harshness can be used literally (e.g., rough texture) or figuratively (e.g., unkind behavior). It often implies a lack of mercy or excessive severity. Avoid using it to describe mild discomfort.
Word Breakdown
harsh
rough, severe, or cruel
root-ness
suffix forming abstract nouns
suffixEnglish Dictionary