{
    "term": "harsh",
    "partOfSpeech": "adjective",
    "ox5000": true,
    "cefr": "c1",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "cruel, severe and unkind",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The punishment was harsh and unfair."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The minister received some **harsh criticism**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "the harsh treatment of prisoners"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He regretted his harsh words."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We had to face up to the **harsh realities** of life sooner or later."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It may seem harsh to criticize him after his death."
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘She's just totally useless!’ ‘That's a bit harsh.’"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Personal qualities"],
            "collocations": {
                "verbs": ["appear", "be", "prove"],
                "adverb": ["extremely", "fairly", "very"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "very difficult and unpleasant to live in",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "a **harsh winter/wind/climate**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "the harsh conditions of poverty which existed for most people at that time"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Many of the prisoners died during the harsh winter of 1683."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Life expectancy is extremely low due to the harsh conditions."
                },
                {
                    "text": "These plants will not grow in this harsh climate."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "too strong and bright; ugly or unpleasant to look at",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "harsh colours"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She was caught in the harsh glare of the headlights."
                },
                {
                    "text": "the harsh lines of concrete buildings"
                },
                {
                    "text": "They've painted the walls with harsh bright colours."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He stood outside, blinking in the harsh sunlight."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "unpleasant to listen to",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "‘Stop it!’ she said in a harsh voice."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "too strong and rough and likely to damage something",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "harsh detergents"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Ordinary soap can be too harsh for delicate skin."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/hɑːʃ/",
                "audio": "ha/harsh/harsh__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/hɑːrʃ/",
                "audio": "ha/harsh/harsh__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Middle English: from Middle Low German harsch ‘rough’, literally ‘hairy’, from haer ‘hair’."
}