Harsh vs. Severe — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Harsh and Severe
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Compare with Definitions
Harsh
Unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses
Drenched in a harsh white neon light
Harsh guttural shouts
Severe
(of something bad or undesirable) very great; intense
A severe shortage of technicians
A severe attack of asthma
The damage is not too severe
Harsh
Cruel or severe
A time of harsh military discipline
Severe
(of punishment of a person) strict or harsh
The charges would have warranted a severe sentence
Harsh
Disagreeable to the sense of hearing
A harsh voice.
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Severe
Very plain in style or appearance
She wore another severe suit, grey this time
Harsh
Disagreeable to the sense of sight
Harsh lighting.
Severe
Unsparing, harsh, or strict, as in treatment of others
A severe critic.
Harsh
Unpleasantly coarse and rough to the touch
Harsh burlap.
Severe
Marked by or requiring strict adherence to rigorous standards or high principles
A severe code of behavior.
Harsh
Unpleasant, uncomfortable, or hostile to survival
A harsh wilderness.
A harsh winter.
Severe
Stern or forbidding, as in manner or appearance
Spoke in a severe voice.
Harsh
Severe, cruel, or exacting
Harsh punishment.
A harsh overseer.
Severe
Extremely plain in substance or style
A severe black dress.
Harsh
Disagreeable to the mind or feelings
Harsh words.
Severe
Causing great discomfort, damage, or distress
A severe pain.
A severe storm.
Harsh
Expressing displeasure or disapproval
Gave me a harsh look.
Severe
Very dangerous or harmful; grave or grievous
Severe mental illness.
Harsh
Unpleasantly rough to the touch or other senses.
Severe
Extremely difficult to perform or endure; trying
A severe test of our loyalty.
Harsh
Severe or cruel.
Severe
Very bad or intense.
Harsh
To negatively criticize.
Quit harshing me already, I said that I was sorry!
Severe
Strict or harsh.
A severe taskmaster
Harsh
To put a damper on (a mood).
Dude, you're harshing my buzz.
Severe
Sober, plain in appearance, austere.
A severe old maiden aunt
Severe clothing
Harsh
Rough; disagreeable; grating
Severe
Serious in feeling or manner; sedate; grave; austere; not light, lively, or cheerful.
Your looks alter, as your subject does,From kind to fierce, from wanton to severe.
Harsh
Unpleasant and repulsive to the sensibilities; austere; crabbed; morose; abusive; abusive; severe; rough.
Clarence is so harsh, so blunt.
Though harsh the precept, yet the preacher charmed.
Severe
Very strict in judgment, discipline, or government; harsh; not mild or indulgent; rigorous; as, severe criticism; severe punishment.
Come! you are too severe a moraler.
Let your zeal, if it must be expressed in anger, be always more severe against thyself than against others.
Harsh
Having violent contrasts of color, or of light and shade; lacking in harmony.
Severe
Rigidly methodical, or adherent to rule or principle; exactly conformed to a standard; not allowing or employing unneccessary ornament, amplification, etc.; strict; - said of style, argument, etc.
The Latin, a most severe and compendious language.
Harsh
Unpleasantly stern;
Wild and harsh country full of hot sand and cactus
The nomad life is rough and hazardous
Severe
Sharp; afflictive; distressing; violent; extreme; as, severe pain, anguish, fortune; severe cold.
Harsh
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
Severe
Difficult to be endured; exact; critical; rigorous; as, a severe test.
Harsh
Extremely unkind or cruel;
Had harsh words
A harsh and unlovable old tyrant
Severe
Intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality;
Severe pain
A severe case of flu
A terrible cough
Under wicked fire from the enemy's guns
A wicked cough
Harsh
Severe;
A harsh penalty
Severe
Very strong or vigorous;
Strong winds
A hard left to the chin
A knockout punch
A severe blow
Harsh
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
Severe
Severely simple;
A stark interior
Harsh
Sharply disagreeable; rigorous;
The harsh facts of court delays
An abrasive character
Severe
Unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment;
A parent severe to the pitch of hostility
A hefty six-footer with a rather severe mien
A strict disciplinarian
A Spartan upbringing
Severe
Causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm;
A dangerous operation
A grave situation
A grave illness
Grievous bodily harm
A serious wound
A serious turn of events
A severe case of pneumonia
A life-threatening disease
Severe
Very bad in degree or extent;
A severe worldwide depression
The house suffered severe damage
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