 harshness |
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| 1. | [ noun ] the roughness of a substance that causes abrasions | |
| Synonyms: | scratchiness abrasiveness | |
| Related terms: | roughness | |
| 2. | [ noun ] the quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance | |
| Synonyms: | cruelty cruelness | |
| Related terms: | malevolence ferociousness murderousness | |
| 3. | [ noun ] (music) harsh or rough to the ear | |
| Synonyms: | roughness | |
| Related terms: | timbre gruffness | |
| 4. | [ noun ] excessive sternness | |
| Synonyms: | inclemency hardness stiffness rigor rigour severity | |
| Examples: | "severity of character" "the harshness of his punishment was inhuman" "the rigors of boot camp" |
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| Related terms: | sternness | |
| Similar spelling: |
Harkness harshen Harshman Harrison |
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