Harshest: meaning, definitions and examples

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harshest

 

[ hɑːrʃɪst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

descriptive quality

The term 'harshest' is used to describe something that is extremely severe or cruel. It often refers to conditions, treatment, or environments that lack compassion or gentleness. 'Harshest' serves as the superlative form of 'harsh', meaning it indicates the highest degree of harshness. This word can be used to express a variety of severe conditions, such as weather or personal behavior. In literature and conversation, 'harshest' often emphasizes contrasts or extreme experiences.

Synonyms

cruelest, extremest, most brutal, most severe, severest

Examples of usage

  • The harshest winter in decades.
  • She faced the harshest criticism from her peers.
  • The coach's words were the harshest he's ever spoken.
  • Surviving the harshest conditions requires resilience.

Translations

Translations of the word "harshest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mais severo

🇮🇳 सबसे कठोर

🇩🇪 der härteste

🇮🇩 paling keras

🇺🇦 найсуворіший

🇵🇱 najsurowszy

🇯🇵 最も厳しい

🇫🇷 le plus sévère

🇪🇸 el más duro

🇹🇷 en sert

🇰🇷 가장 가혹한

🇸🇦 الأكثر قسوة

🇨🇿 nejpřísnější

🇸🇰 najprísnejší

🇨🇳 最严厉的

🇸🇮 najstrožji

🇮🇸 harðastur

🇰🇿 ең қатал

🇬🇪 ყველაზე მკაცრი

🇦🇿 ən sərt

🇲🇽 el más duro

Word origin

The word 'harsh' originates from the Old English term 'earsce', which relates to something being difficult or unpleasant. Over time, it adapted through Middle English to 'harsh', showing a progression in the English language. In the 15th century, the word began to take on its current meaning, reflecting a sense of adversity or severity. The superlative form, 'harshest', reinforces the extreme degree of the original term, with linguistic roots that highlight contrasting states of comfort and discomfort. 'Harshest' captures a critical essence of the human experience, particularly in literature and speech where extreme conditions are explored.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,235, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.