harshness

Everyday

1. Being unkind, strict or cruel: the harshness of the punishment. tree →
2. Being rough and unpleasant to the senses: the harshness of a sound, a light or a taste. tree →
3. Being very difficult to live in: the harshness of the desert or the Arctic winter. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and history it describes strict rulers, hard punishments and cruel words; in geography and science it describes extreme climates, like deserts and polar regions, where animals need special adaptations. In ethics lessons we compare harshness with fairness and kindness. Phrases: the harshness of winter, harshness of the climate, harshness of her words.

Examples

• The harshness of the Arctic winter makes life hard for animals. tree →
• We were shocked by the harshness of the punishment. tree →
• The harshness in his voice made the little boy cry. tree →
• Camels are adapted to the harshness of the desert. tree →
• The bright light's harshness hurt my eyes. tree →
• She said sorry for the harshness of her words. tree →

Note

Uncountable. From «harsh» + -ness. Opposites: gentleness, softness, kindness, mildness.