harsh

comparative harsher · comparative more harsh · superlative harshest · superlative most harsh

1. Unpleasantly rough to the touch or other senses.

   Synonyms: coarse, scabrous, abrasive, asperous, coarse, gimped, irregular, jagged

2. Severe or cruel.

   harsh rule

   5 more examples

   harsh decision

   harsh penalty

   harsh teacher

   harsh ruling

   Partly because of the heavy burden of government debt built up during his stewardship, and the uncurbed recklessness of the country’s banks, Britain’s recession is already the harshest in Western Europe.

   2009 March 29, John F. Burns, “Anglo-American Capitalism on Trial”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 26 Sep 2015

   Synonyms: callous, severe, brutal, callous, cold, insensate, hardhanded, cold-eyed · Antonyms: easy, genteel

present singular third person harshes · participle present harshing · participle past harshed · past harshed

1. ambitransitiveslangTo negatively criticize.

   Quit harshing me already, I said that I was sorry!

   2 more examples

   Stop harshing on yourself. Who said you're the ugly sister?

   2008, An Na, The Fold

   “Stop harshing on me, Daddy.” “Harshing?” “Don't yell at me. I didn't do anything.”

   2009, Richard Powers, Gain

2. ambitransitiveslangTo put a damper on (a mood).

   Dude, you're harshing my buzz.

   5 more examples

   They're always harshing on the plan, but we're still going through with it.

   On their third date, Lizzie had actually said to him, "You're sort of harshing my mellow." It made him wonder if she might be stupid, and not just young.

   1999, Kurt Andersen, Turn of the century, page 508

   "They're mostly mercenaries these days. But whose?" "Serbian mercenaries? You're harshing my groove, man. I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that...."

   2003, Robert Ludlum, The Janson Directive, page 355

   "Getting back to the issue of the child," Tina said, harshing our buzz as usual, "I really think you should reconsider...."

   2006, MaryJanice Davidson, Undead and Unpopular, page 776

   He's totally harshing my vibe," Lila said airily. "Someone should tell him to get over himself. He's lucky I even invited him!"

   2008, Kate William with Francine Pascal, Secrets - Page 70

plural Harshes

1. A surname.