harsher
harsher — adjective
- harsherpositive
- harsherercomparative
- harsherestsuperlative
1. showing less kindness or patience, or bringing stronger rules, criticism, punish
showing less kindness or patience, or bringing stronger rules, criticism, punishment, or conditions, than another person or situation being compared
The new coach was harsher with late players than the old one.
be harsher with [people] than [comparison]
Yara's harsher review made the young actor leave the room in tears.
harsher review for stronger criticism
After the budget cuts, the school introduced harsher rules for missing homework.
The winter felt harsher this year, with icy wind every morning.
- stricter
best for rules and discipline; does not always sound unkind
- more severe
stronger and more formal, especially for punishment or conditions
- tougher
broader and more informal; can mean difficult without the same sharp edge
文法句型
harsher + noun
be + harsher + than + noun phrase
be harsher with + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often compares people, judgments, rules, punishments, or living conditions. Distinguish it from sense 2, which is about light, sound, smells, or chemicals that feel unpleasant to the senses.
2. too strong for your eyes, ears, nose, or skin, so it feels more unpleasant than
too strong for your eyes, ears, nose, or skin, so it feels more unpleasant than something gentler
The harsher kitchen light made Ayesha squint while she cut onions.
harsher light causing physical discomfort
After midnight, the radio sounded harsher in the quiet apartment.
This soap smells harsher than the one we used last week.
The doctor changed Kenji's medicine because the harsher cream burned his skin.
- stronger
neutral everyday comparison for force or intensity
- sharper
best for sounds, smells, or tastes that hit the senses quickly
- more irritating
focuses on the discomfort caused to the body
文法句型
harsher + noun
sound / smell / feel + harsher + than + noun phrase
用法筆記
Usually describes light, sound, smells, tastes, weather, or chemicals that affect the body directly. Distinguish it from sense 1, where the unpleasantness comes from treatment, judgment, or conditions rather than sensory force.
3. having a rougher surface, so it scratches or rubs your skin more than something
having a rougher surface, so it scratches or rubs your skin more than something smoother does
The cheaper towel felt harsher after it dried on the balcony rail.
feel harsher after drying or weather exposure
Feng chose the softer blanket because the wool one felt harsher on his neck.
harsher on [body part] for texture discomfort
Years of sea wind left the boat rope harsher and harder to hold.
The sandpaper in Anna's hand felt harsher than the fine sheet beside it.
- rougher
the closest everyday comparison for texture
- scratchier
best for fabric, wool, or surfaces that rub the skin unpleasantly
- coarser
focuses on a thicker, less smooth material
文法句型
harsher + noun
feel + harsher + than + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is about texture you can feel with your hand, neck, or skin. Distinguish it from sense 2, where something feels harsher because it is too strong for the senses rather than physically rough.