torment, scold, chastise
苛 centers on causing suffering through harsh treatment: tormenting, scolding, or chastising someone severely.
苛 combines the grass radical 艹 with 可, which likely contributes the sound. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character is associated with harshness or severity.
The grass radical 艹 on top of 可 suggests something harsh growing over what is acceptable, like weeds choking a garden. This harshness becomes torment and scolding.
For カ, imagine a harsh crow cawing tormentingly: caw -> カ, and the sharp sound matches the scolding nature of the kanji.
to get irritated; to get annoyed; to be on the edge; to fret; to lose patience
to ill-treat; to bully; to torment; to pick on; to tease; to be cruel to; to persecute
irritation; annoyance; frustration
to torment; to torture; to afflict; to harrow
to be irritated; to get annoyed; to lose one's patience
severe; fierce; stern
caustic
caustic soda; sodium hydroxide
cyberbullying; online harassment
to cut to pieces; to torment
in a hurry; hustle; person who's always in a rush
to get irritated
caustic alkali; lye
caustic potash; potassium hydroxide
tyranny; despotism
oppressive exaction (of taxes, etc.)
exaction of heavy taxes; imposing oppressive taxes
heavy taxation
irritating; frustrating
antsy; agitated; irritated; anxious; vexed