Words / B1

HAHSHL-ee/ˈhɑːʃli/

Harshly means in a severe or unkind way: treat harshly; judge harshly. Harsh is the adjective (already in the dictionary). Severely is a close twin for punishment; unkindly is milder. Do not spell it harshley. Watchdogs: whistleblowers treated too harshly.

Meaning

In a severe or unkind way.

Examples

• “The watchdog said the trust had treated whistleblowers too harshly.”
• “The winter was judged harshly in the mortality figures.”

Good to know

treat / judge / criticise harshly. Adjective: harsh. Close: severely. Milder: unkindly. Spelling: harshly. NHS / employment watchdogs.

Near in meaning

severely

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