harsh answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"harsh answer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a response that is dismissive or blunt. For example, "They were offended by his harsh answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The harsh answer is that he was a woeful candidate.

The New Yorker

The harsh answer, argues Richard Millet, a novelist and editor, in his recent book, "Harcèlement Littéraire", a devastating assault on the contemporary French novel, is that "French literature has become a desert".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The reason Schulz's strip lasted for 50 years and is now a feature film grossing more than $110m, fully 15 years after its parent strip's demise, is that Schulz was unswerving in his commitment to incredibly harsh answers to the kinds of existential questions eight-year-olds are not yet afraid to ask.

The Guardian - Books

The harsher answer is that it is time for Dr Kouchner to go, before the administration sinks into more of a muddle.

The Economist

Temporarily stuck on the merits, I came back with the harshest answer I could think of — some version of "You're too old to understand".

The New Yorker

Patton shot back confident, sometimes-harsh answers to a buzzing audience of nearly 200 students, whom she prodded at one point to ask harder questions.

Princeton University

The "mere mention" of nationhood produces systematically harsher answers.29 Coercive civic integration policies are, in effect, repeated iterations of these mere mention tests: repeatedly poking and prodding immigrants, asking "are you Dutch yet?".

Comparative Migration Studies

If you disagree with US penal policies, or believe them to be harsh, the answer is simple as we say in prison, "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime".

The Guardian - Opinion

Part of the harsh, brutal answer lies in the fact that none of the elite nations feel the impact of this crisis--it is too marginalised and, unlike the desperate Syrian refugees risking their lives to reach Europe, most of the Yemenis are internally displaced and cannot make it to safety elsewhere.

HuffPost

He does not use any visual aids, he can be harsh when answering questions and he refuses to shorten his speech or stop for any reason, even if the crowd thins.

Huffington Post

Despite the harsh sentences that answer any dissent, Nyan Win remains optimistic about fresh protests.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "harsh answer", consider the impact on the recipient. Ensure that the bluntness is necessary for clarity or honesty, rather than simply being hurtful. Choose if a more empathetic approach could be more effective.

Common error

Avoid using "harsh answer" in casual conversations or informal writing where a more gentle or understanding tone is appropriate. Overusing it can make you appear insensitive or aggressive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harsh answer" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "harsh" modifies the noun "answer". It describes the quality or nature of a response. As Ludwig examples show, it characterizes answers that are blunt, severe, or critical.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harsh answer" denotes a response that is blunt, severe, or critical. Ludwig's analysis reveals that while grammatically correct and understandable, its usage is relatively infrequent. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, but also finds its place in academic contexts. When using "harsh answer", it's important to consider the impact of such a blunt response and whether a more empathetic approach might be beneficial. While directness has its place, especially when accuracy is required, sometimes being too direct could be perceived as offensive. As Ludwig AI validates, the phrase is well-formed and usable, but awareness of context is important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blunt response

This alternative focuses on the directness and lack of tact in the answer.

severe reply

This highlights the strictness and unforgiving nature of the answer.

critical response

This emphasizes the judgmental and disapproving tone of the answer.

uncompromising answer

This suggests the answer is firm and leaves no room for negotiation or leniency.

brutal response

This emphasizes the painful and shocking nature of the answer.

stern reply

This highlights the serious and authoritative tone of the answer.

unflinching answer

This suggests the answer is firm, direct and without hesitation.

acerbic response

This emphasizes the sharp and biting quality of the answer.

caustic reply

This highlights the corrosive and sarcastic nature of the answer.

vitriolic answer

This emphasizes the bitterness and malice conveyed in the answer.

FAQs

What does "harsh answer" mean?

A "harsh answer" is a response that is severe, blunt, and often critical or unsympathetic. It typically lacks gentleness or consideration for the recipient's feelings.

How to use "harsh answer" in a sentence?

You can use "harsh answer" to describe a response to a question or situation, such as: "His "harsh answer" surprised everyone in the room", or "The manager gave a "harsh answer" to the employee's request".

What can I say instead of "harsh answer"?

You can use alternatives like "blunt response", "severe reply", or "critical response" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to give a "harsh answer" or a gentle one?

The best approach depends on the context and the recipient. While honesty and directness are valuable, a "harsh answer" may be unnecessarily hurtful. Consider whether a more compassionate or tactful response would be more effective in achieving the desired outcome.