How to Use harsh in a Sentence

harsh

adjective
  • The lighting in the room was very harsh.
  • The climate there is very harsh.
  • He was sentenced to a harsh prison term.
  • The accident serves as a harsh reminder of the importance of wearing a seat belt.
  • He had harsh words for his opponent.
  • The state has established harsh penalties for drug dealers.
  • She has been criticized for her harsh treatment of her students.
  • It's time for her to face the harsh realities of this situation.
  • We've had an extremely harsh winter.
  • She has faced some extremely harsh criticism.
  • Those words might read as harsh.
    — Jon Frosch, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
  • Again, no harsh whites around here!
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Swap one harsh bulb for a warmer one.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026
  • Guinn warns there shouldn’t be any harsh lines.
    — Essence, 23 Jan. 2026
  • But across the board, some harsh home truths are called for.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 25 May 2026
  • Is their grading harsh or fair?
    — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 26 May 2026
  • Some harsh words are said that leave Kevin a wreck.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
  • No harsh odors and acetone-free.
    — ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
  • No harsh odors and acetone-free.
    — ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
  • No harsh odors and acetone-free.
    — Tory Johnson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
  • No harsh odors and acetone-free.
    — Tory Johnson, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • No harsh odors and acetone-free.
    — Tory Johnson, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • No harsh odors and acetone-free.
    — ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • No harsh odors and acetone-free.
    — Tory Johnson, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • No harsh odors and acetone-free.
    — Tory Johnson, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • But more freezes were to come, although not as harsh.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
  • Overnight, her once warm, cozy street felt harsh and hostile.
    — Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
  • Now, the Philles face a harsh winter.
    — Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Fate is a harsh mistress, David.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
  • There's a lot of harsh words and harsh things that get said about people.
    — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'harsh.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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