harshness

uncountable

A noun referring to the quality of being rough, unpleasant to the senses, cruel, or excessively stern.

ruСуществительное, обозначающее качество грубости, неприятности для органов чувств, жестокости или чрезмерной суровости.esSustantivo que designa la cualidad de ser duro, áspero o severo; puede referirse a la crudeza o desagrado para los sentidos, a la severidad o falta de suavidad en el trato, o a la dureza y rigor de una condición o situación.frNom désignant la qualité de ce qui est dur, rude, désagréable pour les sens, cruel ou excessivement sévère.deSubstantiv, das die Eigenschaft bezeichnet, rau, unfreundlich, unangenehm für die Sinne, grausam oder übermäßig streng zu sein.ptSubstantivo que designa a qualidade de ser áspero, rude ou desagradável aos sentidos; também se refere à crueldade, severidade excessiva ou rigor extremo de condições ou tratamento.zh名词，表示粗糙、刺耳、刺眼等令人不适的性质，也指严厉、苛刻、残酷或严酷的程度。arاسم يدل على صفة الخشونة أو القسوة أو الشدة في التعامل أو الملمس أو المذاق أو الصوت، وما يسبب الأذى للحواس أو المشاعر.

1. Physical roughness B2 formal

   The quality of a surface being coarse or abrasive, capable of causing friction or damage when touched.

   • The harshness of the sandpaper wore down the wood quickly.
   • He could feel the harshness of the stone wall against his palm.
   • The harshness of the desert terrain made travel difficult.

   ruШероховатостьesAspereza físicafrRugosité physiquedeRauheitptAsperezazh粗糙度arخشونة السطح

   Synonyms: abrasivenessasperitycoarsenessroughnessscratchinessunevenness

   Antonyms: gentlenessmildnesssmoothnesssoftness

2. Unpleasant sensory quality B2 formal

   The property of being disagreeable to the senses, such as a grating sound, a bitter taste, or a glaring light.

   • The harshness of the alarm clock jolted her awake.
   • He winced at the harshness of the lemon juice on his cut.
   • The harshness of the fluorescent lighting gave everyone a headache.

   ruРезкостьesCualidad sensorial desagradablefrCaractère désagréable pour les sensdeRauheitptAsperezazh刺耳/刺激性arخشونة الحس

   Synonyms: acriditybitternessgratingraspingroughnessshrillnessstridency

   Antonyms: gentlenessmellownesssoftnesssweetness

3. Cruelty or severity B2 formal

   The quality of being unkind, strict, or severe in manner or treatment, often creating tension or discomfort.

   • The harshness of his criticism left her feeling humiliated.
   • The teacher's harshness intimidated the younger students.
   • She could not tolerate the harshness of the workplace culture.

   ruСуровостьesDureza o severidadfrDureté, sévéritédeHärteptSeveridadezh严厉arالقَسْوَة

   Synonyms: austeritybrutalitycrueltyhardnessrigourseveritysternnessstrictnessunkindness

   Antonyms: gentlenesskindnessleniencymildnesssoftness

4. Excessive sternness C1 formal

   An extreme degree of strictness or inflexibility, often lacking compassion or leniency.

   • The harshness of the judge's sentence was criticized by activists.
   • Living under such harshness, the prisoners despaired.
   • The manager's harshness drove away several talented employees.

   ruСуровостьesSeveridad excesivafrSévérité excessivedeHärteptRigidez excessivazh严厉arالقَسْوَة

   Synonyms: austerityhardnessinflexibilityrelentlessnessrigidityseveritysternnessstrictness

   Antonyms: clemencyforbearancegentlenessindulgenceleniencymildnesspermissivenesssoftness

• harshnesses plural form
• harshnesses' possessive plural form
• harshness's possessive singular form