harsh

adjective (UNKIND)

/hɑːʃ/

/hɑːrʃ/

Definition

C1 unpleasant, unkind, cruel, or more severe than is necessary: harsh criticism The children had had a harsh upbringing. We thought the punishment was rather harsh for such a minor offence. "There is no alternative," she said in a harsh voice. He said some harsh words (= spoke unkindly) about his brother.Unkind, cruel and unfeelingViolent or aggressiveTreating people or animals badlyInsults and abuseSevere harshly

/-li/ adverb C2 I thought she'd been treated rather harshly.Unkind, cruel and unfeelingViolent or aggressiveTreating people or animals badlyInsults and abuseSevere harshness

/-nəs/ noun [U] Unkind, cruel and unfeelingViolent or aggressiveTreating people or animals badlyInsults and abuseSevere

(Definition of harsh adjective (UNKIND) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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