Adjective
1. unpleasantly stern;
"wild and harsh country full of hot sand and cactus""the nomad life is rough and hazardous"2. disagreeable to the senses;
"the harsh cry of a blue jay""harsh cognac""the harsh white light makes you screw up your eyes""harsh irritating smoke filled the hallway"3. extremely unkind or cruel;
"had harsh words""a harsh and unlovable old tyrant"4. severe;
"a harsh penalty"5. used of circumstances (especially weather) that cause suffering;
"brutal weather""northern winters can be cruel""a cruel world""a harsh climate""a rigorous climate""unkind winters"6. sharply disagreeable; rigorous;
"the harsh facts of court delays""an abrasive character"