easy
The wind was harsh on our faces.
What does Harsh mean?
Harsh means rough or severe.
Dictionary definition
Harsh means rough, severe, sharp, or unpleasant in tone, weather, texture, or conditions.
Example sentences
Harsh in a sentence
medium
Her harsh words hurt the group.
hard
Harsh feedback is easier to accept when it becomes respectful advice.
Writing practice
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Practice the meaning of Harsh
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does harsh mean?
Rough or severe matches the meaning of the word.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to harsh?
Severe is close in meaning to harsh.
Practice 3
Which word is an opposite or strong contrast for harsh?
Gentle is an opposite of harsh.
Practice complete
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Harsh
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HARSH
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WordHarsh.
Partadjective.
MeaningHarsh means rough or severe.
ExampleExample: The wind was harsh on our faces.
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Synonyms
Words like Harsh
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice harsh synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The review was scathing, leaving little doubt about the critic's opinion," then compare close word choices. Practice harsh synonyms.
Word family
Harsh word family
Related words
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Student support
Understand Harsh
Hint for students
Harsh means rough or severe.
Common mix-up
Harsh is not the same as gentle. Harsh means harsh means rough or severe.
Try it in class or at home
Read this model sentence: Her harsh words hurt the group. Clue words: words, hurt, group. Underline clue words that show why harsh fits instead of gentle. Now write one new sentence that shows harsh without using the word harsh. Ask: Does my sentence clearly show harsh?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "Her harsh words hurt the group." Why does harsh fit better than gentle?
Learning activities
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