1. unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses
2. cruel or severe in manner, speech, or treatment
3. extremely difficult to endure; unforgiving

Examples

• The harsh sound of metal scraping against concrete made everyone wince.
• Her harsh criticism left him feeling discouraged.
• The judge gave the criminal a harsh sentence of twenty years.
• The harsh winter weather made travel dangerous.
• His harsh voice echoed through the empty hallway.
• The harsh reality of poverty affected millions of families.
• She spoke in harsh tones when she was angry.