Definition of Harshness

1. Noun. The roughness of a substance that causes abrasions.

Exact synonyms: Abrasiveness, Scratchiness
Generic synonyms: Raggedness, Roughness
Derivative terms: Abrasive, Harsh, Scratchy

2. Noun. The quality of being unpleasant (harsh or rough or grating) to the senses.
Exact synonyms: Roughness
Generic synonyms: Unpleasantness
Specialized synonyms: Gruffness, Hoarseness, Huskiness
Derivative terms: Harsh, Rough

3. Noun. The quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance.
Exact synonyms: Cruelness, Cruelty
Specialized synonyms: Brutality, Ferociousness, Savagery, Viciousness, Murderousness
Generic synonyms: Malevolence, Malevolency, Malice
Derivative terms: Cruel, Harsh

4. Noun. Excessive sternness. "The rigors of boot camp"

Definition of Harshness

1. n. The quality or state of being harsh.

Definition of Harshness

1. Noun. The quality of being harsh. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Harshness

1. [n -ES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Harshness

harse
harses
harsh
harshed
harshen
harshened
harshening
harshens
harsher
harshes
harshest
harshing
harshlier
harshliest
harshly
harshness
harshnesses
harslet
harslets
harstigite
hart
hart's-ear
hart's-tongue
hart's-tongue fern
hart's ear
hart-tongue
hartal
hartals
hartbees
hartbeest

Literary usage of Harshness

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Philosophy of History by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, John Sibree (1902)
"This commencement of the Roman life in savage rudeness excluding the sensibilities of natural morality, brings witli it one characteristic element—harshness ..."

2. Introduction to the Study of History by Charles Victor Langlois, Charles Seignobos, George Godfrey Berry (1904)
"Scholars are often censured for pride and excessive harshness in the judgments ... Barring the harshness they are quite right. Like physicians, chemists ..."

3. The Philosophy of Music: Being the Substance of a Course of Lectures by William Pole (1895)
"The roughness or harshness spoken of is due to the occurrence of what are called beats.1 When two musical sounds differing slightly in pitch are sustained ..."

4. Dictionary of National Biography by LESLIE. STEPHEN (1892)
"It is possible that a feeling of weakness consequent on this breach with the House of Commons had something to do with James's harshness ..."

5. The Literary History of the American Revolution, 1763-1783 by Moses Coit Tyler (1897)
"... Composed at Boston during the Operation of the Port Bill "—His first words of harshness toward the mother country, whose ruin he predicts—His reluctance ..."

6. Early Western Travels, 1748-1846: A Series of Annotated Reprints of Some of by Reuben Gold Thwaites (1904)
"... harshness—Cape de Verd Islands—Alarm of fire—A suspicious sail — Crossing the line—Springing a leak—Short allowance of water —Immense wave—The Falkland ..."

7. Nuttall's Journal of Travels Into the Arkansa Territory October 2, 1818 by Thomas Nuttall, Thomas Hulme, Reuben Gold Thwaites (1904)
"... squall—Flying fish—The captain's harshness—Cape de Verd Islands—Alarm of fire—A suspicious sail—Crossing the line—Springing a leak—Short allowance of ..."

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