Meaning & use
harsh sounding
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
producing a rough, unpleasant, or unpleasantly loud sound
Grammar: Used before a noun, e.g. 'a harsh-sounding voice'. It is not usually used after a linking verb like 'be'.
Patterns
- harsh-sounding + noun
The harsh-sounding alarm woke everyone in the building.
He spoke in a harsh-sounding voice that frightened the children.
The guitar had a harsh-sounding tone that hurt my ears.
adjectivebefore a noun
seeming unkind or critical when heard
Grammar: Describes words or remarks that sound unkind, even if not intended that way.
Patterns
- harsh-sounding + noun
Her harsh-sounding criticism upset the new employee.
The review was harsh-sounding but contained useful advice.
Common combinations
- harsh-sounding voice
- The teacher's harsh-sounding voice made the students nervous.
- harsh-sounding noise
- A harsh-sounding noise came from the old machine.
- harsh-sounding words
- His harsh-sounding words made her cry.
- harsh-sounding criticism
- The harsh-sounding criticism was actually meant to help.
Synonyms and how they differ
- grating
- Grating suggests a sound that is irritating and unpleasant, like scraping; harsh-sounding is broader and can describe voices or remarks.
- rasping
- Rasping describes a rough, scraping sound, often of a voice; harsh-sounding is more general.
- strident
- Strident means loud and unpleasantly forceful; harsh-sounding focuses on roughness rather than volume.
Opposites
Word family
- harshly adverb
- In a harsh manner; unkindly or roughly.
- harshness noun
- The quality of being harsh, rough, or unkind.
Commonly confused: harsh sounding or harsh?
harsh sounding vs harsh
Harsh alone means rough or unkind; harsh-sounding specifically describes how something sounds to the ear.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'harsh-sounding' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Harsh-sounding' is an adjective used before a noun or after a linking verb like 'was'. Option 1 uses it after 'was', which is correct. The other options use it as an adverb or in the wrong position.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “harsh sounding”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.