Synonyms of harshly

harshly

adverb

as in severely

in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering

treated the prisoners harshly, and many died

Synonyms & Similar Words

• severely
• oppressively
• brutally
• hard
• sternly
• stiffly
• ill
• strongly
• abusively
• roughly
• aggressively
• ruthlessly
• mercilessly
• grimly
• pitilessly
• unmercifully
• viciously
• heartlessly
• savagely
• insensitively
• hardly
• unsparingly
• firmly
• inhumanely
• inhumanly
• tyrannically
• uncharitably
• callously
• unfeelingly
• obdurately
• brutishly
• toughly
• resolutely
• determinedly
• cold-bloodedly
• assertively
• insensately
• gruffly
• decidedly
• hard-heartedly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lightly
• gently
• softly
• leniently
• mildly
• tenderly
• kindly
• lovingly
• graciously
• cordially
• benevolently
• considerately
• sympathetically
• compassionately
• clemently
• mercifully
• humanely
• understandingly
• charitably
• benignantly
• tolerantly
• softheartedly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of harshly

But their complaints come as Lecornu's government seeks to rein in public spending to appease skittish bond markets, which have punished France more harshly than many of its peers this year, amid a global bond market rout. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

His government has also been harshly criticized for a migration crisis in Ceuta. — Joseph Wilson, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

Some are condemned swiftly and harshly, others are shrugged off almost entirely. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Meta has been judged harshly for spending billions of dollars on AI without becoming a leader in the technology, so Muse’s popularity surprised some, according to Jefferies senior analyst Brent Thill. — Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Johnson has harshly criticized Villegas’ ordinance, a sign the mayor is likely to veto the measure if a compromise is not reached. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

Focus on crevices and edges where grease and debris tend to accumulate, but avoid scrubbing too harshly. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026

Real Betis forward Abde Ezzalzouli, who plays for Morocco, was harshly criticized by some Moroccan fans on social media when images of him wearing the shirt in support of Ceuta began to circulate. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

The attacking structure is yet to click, while defensive errors have been harshly exploited. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026