harsh

/hɑrʃ/ (American pronunciation)

Origin: From Middle English "harsk," derived from Old Norse "harskr" meaning "rough."

Meanings:

1. Unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses
2. Cruel, severe, or excessively critical
3. Difficult to accept or experience
4. (of climate or conditions) Severe and unpleasant

Example Sentences:

1. The harsh sunlight made it difficult to see clearly.
2. Her harsh criticism left him feeling discouraged.
3. Refugees faced harsh living conditions in the camp.
4. The desert's harsh climate makes survival challenging.

Related Words:

• Forms: harsher (comparative), harshest (superlative), harshly (adverb), harshness (noun)
• Synonyms: severe, stern, rough, cruel, abrasive, bitter, brutal

Memorization Trick: Think "HARSH" as an acronym for "Hard And Rough, Severe, Heavy" to remember its various connotations of difficulty, roughness, and severity.