a harsh order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a harsh order" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a command or directive that is severe or strict in nature. Example: "The manager issued a harsh order to the team, demanding immediate results without any excuses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In some areas of Rio, police "militias" have driven out drug-trafficking gangs and imposed a harsh order.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

B1 ROUGH JUSTICE -- The Northern Alliance, demonstrating a willingness to impose harsh order over the largely lawless territory it captured from the Taliban in northern Afghanistan, attacked a band of highway robbers last week and hung the bullet-riddled body of a man it had killed from the barrel of a tank for two days to deter bandits.

The New York Times

The interim Northern Alliance government here, demonstrating a willingness to impose harsh order over the largely lawless territory it captured from the Taliban, attacked a band of suspected highway robbers with tanks and soldiers this week and put the bullet-riddled body of a man it killed on public display.

The New York Times

He described the old criminals who with the blessings of authorities imposed harsh order.

The New York Times - Books

After the Garissa attacks, the government gave the United Nations three months to shut down the camp and send its residents home, with the harsh order sparked by fears that the camp fosters Muslim extremists.

Vice

If, by contrast, the golden-shower diplomacy of Donald Trump continues, while the Chinese and Russian versions of hegemony only gain strength, then we will likely witness a harsher world order based on autocracy, Realpolitik, and commercial domination, with scant attention to human rights, women's rights, or the rule of law.

Huffington Post

There were shouts and cries, harsh orders from the police, screams and thuds as bodies hit the ground.

The Guardian

Others fear Beijing will impose a harsh punishment in order to intimidate and silence Pu's many thousands of supporters.

The Guardian

"No, I did not," Ms. Adaya answered, twice, when asked whether she had used a harsh profanity in ordering her staff to clear either the hotel or its pool of Jewish party guests on July 11 , 2010 at a gathering sponsored by the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.

The New York Times

Mr. Barak was considered reluctant to order a harsh military response that could further escalate the violence, cause more Israeli casualties and jeopardize the fragile Israeli-Syrian negotiations.

The New York Times

But he defended his decision to order a harsh reprisal for what he called the guerrillas' systematic violations of the rules of engagement in the low-level war zone of southern Lebanon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a harsh order", consider the context and ensure the severity of the order aligns with the situation being described. Overuse can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a harsh order" when a simpler, less dramatic term like "a firm instruction" would suffice. Exaggerating the severity can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a harsh order" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb (e.g., "issue a harsh order") or the subject of a clause. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a harsh order" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a severe or strict command. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While examples are relatively rare, when used, the phrase typically appears in news and media contexts to describe serious directives with significant consequences. Alternative phrases like "a severe command" or "a strict directive" can be used to convey similar meanings, but the choice depends on the specific nuance the writer wishes to emphasize. When writing, ensure the described situation aligns with the gravity implied by the phrase, and avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a severe command

Replaces "order" with "command" and "harsh" with "severe", emphasizing the authoritative nature and strictness of the directive.

a strict directive

Uses "directive" instead of "order" and "strict" instead of "harsh", highlighting the rigorous enforcement of the instruction.

an iron fist rule

Emphasizes the controlling and unforgiving aspect of the rule, indicating a lack of leniency.

a draconian mandate

Replaces "order" with "mandate" and "harsh" with "draconian", suggesting an extremely severe and often unjust regulation.

a firm decree

Substitutes "order" with "decree" and "harsh" with "firm", conveying a sense of decisiveness and unyielding authority.

an authoritarian regulation

Highlights the top-down, controlling nature of the regulation, implying a lack of consultation or consent.

a rigorous requirement

Focuses on the demanding and exacting nature of the requirement, emphasizing the need for strict adherence.

a punitive measure

Highlights the aspect of punishment or penalty associated with the order, suggesting it's designed to enforce compliance through negative consequences.

an oppressive regulation

Highlights the restrictive and burdensome nature of the regulation, suggesting it creates hardship or injustice.

a tough stipulation

Replaces "order" with "stipulation" and "harsh" with "tough", portraying a demanding condition that is difficult to meet.

FAQs

How can I use "a harsh order" in a sentence?

You can use "a harsh order" to describe a severe or strict command. For example, "The general issued "a harsh order" to his troops, demanding they hold the line at all costs."

What are some alternatives to "a harsh order"?

Alternatives include "a severe command", "a strict directive", or "a draconian mandate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a harsh order"?

It's appropriate when the command or directive is genuinely severe and has significant consequences. Consider whether the situation warrants such strong language.

What's the difference between "a harsh order" and "a firm instruction"?

"A harsh order" implies greater severity and potential for negative consequences than "a firm instruction", which suggests a clear and direct command without necessarily being overly severe.