harshness meaning

UK US /ˈhɑrʃnəs/ 2 syllables

harshness (noun): the roughness of a substance that causes abrasions.

harshness has 4 meanings in this dictionary.

harshness as a noun

  1. the roughness of a substance that causes abrasions

    Synonyms: abrasiveness, scratchiness

    Type of: roughness

    Related forms: harsh

  2. the quality of being harsh or rough or grating to the senses

    Synonyms: roughness

    Type of: unpleasantness

    Kinds: gruffness

    Related forms: harsh

  3. the quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance

    Synonyms: cruelty, cruelness

    Type of: malevolence

    Kinds: ferociousness, murderousness

    Related forms: harsh

  4. excessive sternness
    • severity of character
    • the harshness of his punishment was inhuman
    • the rigors of boot camp

    Synonyms: severity, severeness, rigor, rigour, rigorousness, rigourousness, inclemency, hardness, stiffness

    Type of: sternness

    Related forms: harsh

How to pronounce harshness

harshness is pronounced /ˈhɑrʃnəs/ in American English. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Scrabble score: 15 (letter breakdown)

Word lists: words starting with HA · words ending in SS · 9-letter words

More about harshness on Wikipedia.