HARSHLY Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

harshly

adverb

Definition of harshly

as in severely

in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering treated the prisoners harshly, and many died

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of harshly And violations of public trust are typically judged quite harshly. — Roger J. Kreuz, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026 Tariff Refunds Spark Political Debate Democratic lawmakers have harshly criticized corporations receiving millions in tariff refunds without passing those benefits on to consumers. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Republican lawmakers have largely remained silent about the conditions on the Lincoln – not harshly criticizing the administration, but not defending it either. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026 At the final stop, so to speak, before Antarctica, the weather is harshly volatile, and in the wilderness surrounding the few small cities and towns, civilization dwindles almost to nothing. — Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026 And then, the organization's chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, harshly came out against the plan, releasing a statement to the Associated Press, saying FIFA's staff had been blindsided by it. — Rafael Nam, NPR, 31 July 2026 Like other senior bankers, Sehnaoui was harshly criticized following Lebanon's historic economic meltdown in 2019, when most people lost access to their money. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 He was fired, a little harshly, in May 2021 after one season, having delivered a Coppa Italia to go with a fourth-place finish. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 July 2026 The Greek myths are rife with petty and meddlesome deities squabbling, playing favorites, punishing harshly, and otherwise wreaking havoc on the lives of mortal men. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshly

Adverb

But several of those affiliates have severely curtailed their operations since the federal funding was paused.

— CBS News, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Prior to those deaths, the US had not seen a measles death since 2015, when a woman with underlying conditions became severely ill.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of severely

Adverb

The summer had seen Europe endure an oppressively dry, hot summer, which had seen wildfires spring up across the continent.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
After a bit of a reprieve from an oppressively hot summer, another heat wave is set to scorch Southern California this week.

— Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of oppressively

Adverb

Ripped from their homelands, many were brutally beaten and forced to convert to Christianity.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Make The Restaurants Better The burger business has become brutally competitive and speed, accuracy, cleanliness, food quality and consistency are key to lure customers back to its stores.

— Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of brutally

Browse Nearby Words

harshens

harshly

harshness

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“Harshly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshly. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of harshly

adverb

Example Sentences

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