harshness
n 1: the roughness of a substance that causes abrasions [syn: {abrasiveness},
{scratchiness}]
2: harsh or rough to the ear [syn: {roughness}]
3: the quality of being cruel and causing tension or annoyance
[syn: {cruelty}, {cruelness}]
4: excessive sternness; "the severity of his punishment was
inhuman" [syn: {severity}, {inclemency}, {hardness}, {stiffness}]