0 the quality of being unkind or severe:
the harshness of the punishment
2 the quality of being cruel or unkind:
the harshness of the punishment
3 the quality of being severe or unpleasant:
The harshness of the sentence appears out of proportion to the gravity of the offense.
His speech was striking for the harshness of the criticism he leveled at corporate executives.
The depth of feeling on all sides has on occasions introduced a degree of harshness and a lack of charity.
He uses the harshness of fluorescent lights to heighten the sense of discomfort.
After the wine receives more air, it loses its harshness and becomes softer and lighter.
Clouds of smoke still hung over the town and filtered some of the harshness from the light.
When convicted, there was only so much they could do to prevent a sentence of exemplary harshness and a bitter gaol experience.
Accounts of the phenomenon consistently emphasize three elements in its conduct: haste, harshness and extreme insensitivity to local social and ecological concerns.
