25
rigorous(adjective, strong, hard, tough, severe)
24
acrimonious(adjective, mean, hard, tough, severe)
24
dissonant(adjective, characteristic, severe, rough, offensive)
23
hoarse(adjective, characteristic, severe, rough, offensive)
23
unsympathetic(adjective, characteristic, mean, hard, cool)
22
acrid(adjective, characteristic, tough, severe, taste)
22
nasty(adjective, characteristic, mean, hard, cool)
22
relentless(adjective, characteristic, mean, strong, hard)
22
rude(adjective, characteristic, mean, simple, severe)
21
biting(adjective, characteristic, mean, strong, hard)
21
cacophonous(adjective, characteristic, severe, rough, unpleasant)
21
cutting(adjective, characteristic, mean, strong, hard)
21
dour(adjective, characteristic, tough, severe, nasty)
21
grim(adjective, characteristic, appearance, mean, strong)
21
gruff(adjective, characteristic, sound, severe, sharp)
21
sour(adjective, characteristic, hard, tough, severe)
21
stark(adjective, characteristic, severe, rough, attitude)
21
unfeeling(adjective, characteristic, mean, hard, cool)
20
caustic(adjective, characteristic, mean, hard, severe)
20
exacting(adjective, characteristic, hard, tough, easy)
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APASmart Define. (2016). harsh thesaurus. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/harsh/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "harsh thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/harsh/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 21, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, harsh thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/harsh/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "harsh thesaurus" 24 March 2016. Web. 21 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/harsh/thesaurus/synonyms>