the hard way

noun

: in a way that involves difficult or painful experiences
He found out the hard way that crime doesn't pay.
She insisted on doing things the hard way.

Examples of the hard way in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As Alcaraz found out the hard way at the Paris Olympics, being two of the best singles players in recent history doesn’t always mean much. — James Hansen, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 And — as these folks in Gatlinburg learned the hard way — maybe double-check that your keys aren’t in there, either. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Even professional designers have had to learn the hard way that some types of furniture pieces aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026 The Mariners and Anderson found that out the hard way in the sixth. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the hard way

Rhymes for the hard way

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Browse Nearby Words

the hard stuff
the hard way
the have-nots
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Cite this Entry

“The hard way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20hard%20way. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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