Definition of
harshness has definitions from the field of music
1
[ noun ] the roughness of a substance that causes abrasions

Synonyms

scratchiness abrasiveness

Used in print

(Octavia Waldo, A Cup of the Sun....)

It was a face that had lost its childlike softness and was beginning to fold within its fragile features a harshness that belied the lyric lines of its contours .

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"

Related terms

sternness

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Rhymes with

harness hardness darkness sharpness hoarseness tartness brashness larcenous freshness boorishness highness pocahontas bounciness tardiness shortness calmness shyness directness calmness cautiousness greenness sluggishness anise anas callousness lawlessness oneness sloppiness fondness whiteness selfishness squeamishness foolishness skittishness righteousness niceness stubbornness minus numbness blindness roughness rightness richness happiness cockiness responsiveness directness hairiness scantiness drunkenness oneness grimness preakness brightness evenness openness likeness forthrightness contentiousness marianas consciousness ruinous fractiousness graciousness foulness ominous rudeness softness redness madness humanness suddenness newness pandanus slovenliness smugness slackness alumnus blackness timeliness clumsiness greatness shrewdness drowsiness shallowness sinus soundness softness sadness toughness dullness tightness lightness baldness smallness slyness badness stoutness whiteness gauntness homogenous onus fairness nitrogenous gentleness mountainous monotonous preparedness sickness cygnus sameness steadfastness possessiveness persuasiveness permissiveness combativeness cohesiveness aggressiveness abruptness nastiness farsightedness liveliness decisiveness aquinas fastness compactness indecisiveness tastiness elusiveness riskiness vastness stubbornness agribusiness homesickness frankness outrageousness otherness openness ugliness slowness flatness lousiness kindness cronus holiness rowdiness wildness dreariness meanness narrowness weirdness politeness carelessness smoothness crispness raciness sternness uniqueness wholesomeness randomness powerlessness pompousness weightlessness cavernous blindness blandness governess nervousness bluntness seriousness helplessness ruthlessness earnestness homelessness hopelessness funniness dryness robustness restiveness restlessness disingenuousness rebelliousness recklessness uranus awareness sternness defensiveness menace guinness gayness strangeness unfairness outspokenness weariness wickedness nothingness nearsightedness neatness contrariness loneliness

Phonetic and Homophones

HH AA1 R SH N AH0 S

Similar Spelling

Harkness harshen Harshman Harrison

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