easy
The harshness of the wind made everyone zip their coats.
What does Harshness mean?
Harshness means roughness or severity.
Dictionary definition
Harshness is the quality of being rough, severe, or unpleasant.
Example sentences
Harshness in a sentence
medium
The teacher softened the harshness of the feedback with helpful advice.
hard
The story contrasts the harshness of winter with the warmth of friendship.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice harshness in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Harshness
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does harshness mean?
The correct answer matches the meaning of harshness.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to harshness?
Severity is close in meaning to harshness.
Practice 3
Which word is most opposite in meaning to harshness?
Gentleness contrasts with harshness.
Practice complete
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Harshness
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Sounds like
harsh · ness · strongest beat: harsh
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordHarshness.
Partnoun.
MeaningHarshness means roughness or severity.
ExampleExample: The harshness of the wind made everyone zip their coats.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- harsh · ness
- Strongest beat
- harsh
- Ending
- ness
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on harsh.
Your turn
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Nice work—you practiced harshness.
Synonyms
Words like Harshness
severityThe quality of being strong or serious.
roughnessThe quality of being rough.
sternnessThe quality of being strict or serious.
Antonyms
Opposite words
gentlenessThe quality of being soft or kind.
mildnessThe quality of not being severe.
kindnessThe quality of being caring and helpful.
Synonym practice
Want to practice harshness synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The harshness of the sound made everyone cover their ears," then compare close word choices. Practice harshness synonyms.
Word family
Harshness word family
Related words
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Student support
Understand Harshness
Hint for students
Harshness means roughness or severity.
Common mix-up
Harshness is not the same as gentleness. Harshness means harshness means roughness or severity.
Try it in class or at home
Read this model sentence: The teacher softened the harshness of the feedback with helpful advice. Clue words: teacher, softened, feedback. Underline clue words that show why harshness fits instead of gentleness. Now write one new sentence that shows harshness without using the word harshness. Ask: Does my sentence clearly show harshness?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The teacher softened the harshness of the feedback with helpful advice." Why does harshness fit better than gentleness?
Learning activities
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Cards labelled “Practice HARSHNESS” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
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