What is another word for harshness?

Pronunciation: [hˈɑːʃnəs] (IPA)

Harshness is a word that describes a quality of being severe, rough, or unkind. However, there are a number of synonyms that can be used in its place to describe a similar quality. Words like austerity, severity, toughness, and rigidity can all convey a sense of brutal harshness. Similarly, acerbity, acrimony, bitterness, and hostility suggest a more aggressive or negative form of harshness. Alternatively, words like bluntness, directness, and outspokenness might be used to describe a quality that is more honest or straightforward, but which can still come across as harsh depending on the situation. Ultimately, the choice of synonym will depend on the context in which it is used, as well as the tone and style of the writing.

Synonyms for Harshness:

What are the paraphrases for Harshness?

Paraphrases are restatements of text or speech using different words and phrasing to convey the same meaning.
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What are the hypernyms for Harshness?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.

What are the hyponyms for Harshness?

Hyponyms are more specific words categorized under a broader term, known as a hypernym.

What are the opposite words for harshness?

The antonyms for the word "harshness" are words that imply gentleness, softness, and kindness. Instead of being hard and unyielding, the antonyms suggest qualities like tenderness, mercy, and compassion. Some common antonyms for harshness include kindness, sympathy, forgiveness, gentleness, leniency, and consideration. These words imply a willingness to understand, to make allowances, and to offer comfort. By using the antonyms for harshness, you can communicate a sense of humanity, and show that you are willing to be understanding, accommodating, and supportive. These words can be particularly helpful when dealing with difficult situations or challenging circumstances.

What are the antonyms for Harshness?

Usage examples for Harshness

Larry grieved for him, in spite of the harshness of his words and tone, and taking him by the elbow, he led him kindly back into the passage.
"The Eye of Dread"
Payne Erskine
Nevis was certainly not scrupulous, and he had treated some of those who dealt with him with harshness, but he at least never descended to any petty trickery over the sale of a machine.
"A Prairie Courtship"
Harold Bindloss
"The difficulty is that I haven't done so," Hunter declared more quietly, though there was still a trace of harshness in his tone.
"A Prairie Courtship"
Harold Bindloss

Famous quotes with Harshness

  • His very chains helped to deceive him about the harshness of his service.
    Bruno Bauer
  • Conviction without experience makes for harshness.
    Flannery O'Connor
  • It is impossible to treat a child too well. Children are spoiled by being ignored too much or by harshness, not by kindness.
    Sloan Wilson
  • Sadistic excess attempts to reach roughly and by harshness what art reaches by fineness.
    Percy Wynham Lewis
  • Society hesitated, wavered, oscillated between harshness and laxity, pitilessly sacrificing the weak, and deferentially following the strong.
    Henry Adams

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