The phrase "harshness of life" describes difficulties and hardships that people encounter throughout their lives. There are several synonyms for this phrase that can help to convey the same idea. Some alternatives include "trials and tribulations," "roughness of existence," "toughness of reality," "rigors of living," and "misery of existence." Each of these synonyms provides a different perspective on the challenges that people face in life, but they all convey a sense of discomfort and difficulty. No matter which synonym is used, the connotation is that life can be tough, and everyone experiences struggles at some point.