What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Harsh vs Spiteful - What's the difference?

harsh | spiteful |

As adjectives the difference between harsh and spiteful

is that harsh is unpleasantly rough to the touch or other senses while spiteful is filled with, or showing, spite; having a desire to vex, annoy, or injure; malignant; malicious.

As a verb harsh

is (slang) to negatively criticize.

harsh

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Unpleasantly rough to the touch or other senses.
  • Severe or cruel.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=November 5 , author=Phil Dawkes , title=QPR 2 - 3 Man City , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Great news for City, but the result was harsh on Neil Warnock's side who gave as good as they got even though the odds were stacked against them.}}

    Antonyms

    * genteel

    Verb

    (es)
  • (slang) To negatively criticize.
  • Quit harshing me already, I said that I was sorry!
  • *
  • *
  • (slang) to put a damper on (a mood).
  • Dude, you're harshing my buzz.
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Synonyms

    * rough

    Derived terms

    * harshly * harshness

    spiteful

    English

    (Webster 1913)

    Alternative forms

    * spightful (obsolete) * spightfull (obsolete) * spitefull (archaic)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Filled with, or showing, spite; having a desire to vex, annoy, or injure; malignant; malicious