Harsh meaning in English
Learn how to use Harsh correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
harsh: hard, rigid, strict, severe
harshly: rigidly, strictly, severely
Examples
- "The penalties for entering a country without a visa are very harsh, Jean."
- "One's never too young to learn the harsh realities of life, Brent."
- "I hope that you did not take my constructive criticism at the shareholders meeting too harshly."
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks with terms used in the broadcast. Use the hints to help you.
This roast chicken is so . You are an amazing cook.
(delicious, appetising)
If you don't move your belongings from my desk, I will throw them in the
(rubbish, bin, garbage)
I received some very criticism for my new play which I found very upsetting.
(severe, tough)
This roast chicken is so . You are an amazing cook.
(delicious, appetising)
If you don't move your belongings from my desk, I will throw them in the
(rubbish, bin, garbage)
I received some very criticism for my new play which I found very upsetting.
(severe, tough)
Fill in the blanks with terms used in the broadcast. Use the hints to help you.
This roast chicken is so tasty 1. You are an amazing cook.
(delicious, appetising)
If you don't move your belongings from my desk, I will throw them in the trash 2
(rubbish, bin, garbage)
I received some very harsh 3 criticism for my new play which I found very upsetting.
(severe, tough)
This roast chicken is so tasty 1. You are an amazing cook.
(delicious, appetising)
If you don't move your belongings from my desk, I will throw them in the trash 2
(rubbish, bin, garbage)
I received some very harsh 3 criticism for my new play which I found very upsetting.
(severe, tough)
1 tasty: This is the correct answer. The term 'tasty' refers to something that is delicious, or 'tastes good'. In the broadcast, Brent says 'Today we have a tasty little treat for you'. A 'treat' is something special that is given by way of reward or celebration. Brent is telling the Radio Rhubarb listeners that today's broadcast will be special and that Belinda's presence on today's show is a 'tasty treat', or special surprise for them. He doesn't literally mean that she tastes good! Although Belinda would probably go well with some fava beans (or broad beans) and a nice chianti.
2 trash: This is the correct choice. In American English, the term 'trash' refers to 'waste' or 'rubbish' in general. The term 'trash' is also used to refer to something of bad quality. In the broadcast, the correspondent says 'most of the major releases are absolute trash'. She means that the majority of major films at the cinema are of very bad quality.
3 harsh: This is the correct choice. The term 'harsh' refers to something that is severe, cruel or unpleasant. It can refer to how a person is treated, the taste of a food, a person's words or actions, etc. In this broadcast, Belinda tells Brent that 'one is never too young to learn the harsh realities of life'. She means that it is never too early for a child to learn about the cruel, severe and difficult aspects of life.
Exercise 2
"I don't mean to be harsh, but...".
Choose the most appropriate term to replace "harsh" in Luna's sentence, without changing the meaning!
"I don't mean to be , but...".
Choose the most appropriate term to replace "harsh" in Luna's sentence, without changing the meaning!
"I don't mean to be , but...".
"I don't mean to be harsh, but...".
Choose the most appropriate term to replace "harsh" in Luna's sentence, without changing the meaning!
"I don't mean to be severe, but...".
Choose the most appropriate term to replace "harsh" in Luna's sentence, without changing the meaning!
"I don't mean to be severe, but...".
severe: "Severe" is the term with the closest meaning to "harsh" in this context. If we treat someone "harshly", we treat them "severely", or even "cruelly". Luna does not want to offend T-Bone! Another example: "The critics have written some very harsh reviews of my acting abilities".
coarse: "Coarse" is not an appropriate alternative to "harsh" in this context. The two can share a similar meaning when we are referring to a "coarse" or "harsh" material, which is "rough". However, they are not interchangeable when "harsh" is used to mean "cruel".
loud: The term "loud" refers to the "high volume" of a sound or noise. It is not synonymous with "harsh".
heavy: The term "heavy" refers to the "great weight" of an item. It is not synonymous with "harsh".
Exercise 3
Fill in the blank! Ira uses this adjective in his letter to Bruno. Use the hint to help you.
This adjective describes something that is rebellious, disobedient, dangerous or dishonest. "A CIA agent is missing somewhere in the Eastern Hemisphere. We have to find him before it is too late."
This adjective describes something that is rebellious, disobedient, dangerous or dishonest. "A CIA agent is missing somewhere in the Eastern Hemisphere. We have to find him before it is too late."
Fill in the blank! Ira uses this adjective in his letter to Bruno. Use the hint to help you.
This adjective describes something that is rebellious, disobedient, dangerous or dishonest. "A rogue CIA agent is missing somewhere in the Eastern Hemisphere. We have to find him before it is too late."
This adjective describes something that is rebellious, disobedient, dangerous or dishonest. "A rogue CIA agent is missing somewhere in the Eastern Hemisphere. We have to find him before it is too late."
rogue: "Rogue" means rebellious, disobedient, dangerous or dishonest. The term is generally used to describe a professional who is no longer following orders or directives from an authority. Example: A rogue cop follows his own personal agenda, not police rules. Ira uses the term "rogue state", which describes a nation that is considered dangerous by other nations, because it doesn't follow the rules, guidelines or policies established by an authority (such as the United Nations or the US government!).
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