harshness in WordNet English dictionary

1. the roughness of a substance that causes abrasions
   harshness  abrasiveness  scratchiness 
   
2. the quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance
   cruelty  cruelness  harshness 
   
3. excessive sternness
   "severity of character"; "the harshness of his punishment was inhuman"; "the rigors of boot camp"
   severity  severeness  harshness  rigor  rigour  rigorousness  rigourousness  inclemency  hardness  stiffness 
   
4. the quality of being unpleasant (harsh or rough or grating) to the senses
   harshness  roughness