1. (

• harsh ,
• rough

) unpleasantly stern; "wild and harsh country full of hot sand and cactus"; "the nomad life is rough and hazardous" ;

2. (

• harsh ,

) unpleasantly rough or jarring 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. (

• coarse ,
• harsh

) of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles; "coarse meal"; "coarse sand"; "a coarse weave" ;

4. (

• harsh ,
• rough

) unkind or cruel or uncivil; "had harsh words"; "a harsh and unlovable old tyrant"; "a rough answer" ;

5. (

• harsh

) severe; "a harsh penalty" ;

6. (

• harsh ,
• abrasive

) sharply disagreeable; rigorous; "the harsh facts of court delays"; "an abrasive character" ;