as in severely
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering
treated the prisoners harshly, and many died
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Recent Examples of harshly
After Talley’s initial court hearing Monday, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara and Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza were among several officials who harshly criticized the passage of the SAFE-T Act and Lyke’s decision to grant Talley pretrial release.
—
Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Again, Gulutzan was reluctant to criticize his team too harshly given how close the series has been.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
This is a president who had frequently and harshly criticized many of the reporters in front of him, and had sued many of the news organizations that employ them.
—Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Escalona, who was harshly critical of both Carollos during the campaign, initially questioned the three deals.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
The fiasco is a sad case study of what can happen when the federal government intervenes too harshly in the free market.
—Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
For example, users on the Bitcoin subreddit harshly criticize the contemporary financial system and advocate for digital currency over conventional forms of money.
—Maximilian Brichta, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Liberko said she was spoken to harshly in front of others on multiple occasions, including one instance that prompted a guest to intervene, telling Barnum-Dann not to speak to her that way.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2026
At a time when Erdogan is struggling to resolve the country's growing economic problems, responding to Netanyahu's statements harshly scores points domestically and burnishes his strong leader image.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Again, Gulutzan was reluctant to criticize his team too harshly given how close the series has been.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
This is a president who had frequently and harshly criticized many of the reporters in front of him, and had sued many of the news organizations that employ them.
—Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Escalona, who was harshly critical of both Carollos during the campaign, initially questioned the three deals.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
The fiasco is a sad case study of what can happen when the federal government intervenes too harshly in the free market.
—Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
For example, users on the Bitcoin subreddit harshly criticize the contemporary financial system and advocate for digital currency over conventional forms of money.
—Maximilian Brichta, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Liberko said she was spoken to harshly in front of others on multiple occasions, including one instance that prompted a guest to intervene, telling Barnum-Dann not to speak to her that way.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2026
At a time when Erdogan is struggling to resolve the country's growing economic problems, responding to Netanyahu's statements harshly scores points domestically and burnishes his strong leader image.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harshly
Adverb
-
Such cuts would defund Florida Forever, severely limiting the state’s ability to protect priority conservation lands and undermining administrative and staffing capacity.—
Susan Carr,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Others have been severely neglected or abused or left stranded following their owner’s death.—
Eric Adler
April 26,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The first of the four chapters is an oppressively gray-toned, narratively diffuse spy thriller, set amid the mists of what appears to be the Second World War.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
-
The second planet from the sun has a completely inhospitable surface, with temperatures reaching 863 degrees Fahrenheit (462 degrees Celsius) and a crushing pressure underneath an oppressively thick atmosphere.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The 2021 army takeover triggered massive public resistance that was brutally suppressed, triggering a bloody civil war that has killed thousands of people.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Even before the war began, hardship and inflation provoked nationwide protests that were brutally repressed.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Aerate compacted and hard-to-wet lawns.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
King Charles' younger sister is known for her tireless drive for royal duty, often ranked among the royal family's hardest-working members by count of official engagements recorded in The Court Circular.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harshly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harshly. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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