hard 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhärd How to pronounce hard (audio)
Definition of hardnext
1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort clearing land is hard work a hard exam to pass

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2
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings a hard man, who never had a kind word for anyone

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3
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure they were forced to import sheep of a harder stock, one that could thrive in the harsh climate

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4
as in reasonable
based on sound reasoning or information do you have any hard evidence that this was once the site of a Native American village?

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5
as in tough
difficult to endure the hard life of a migrant farm worker

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6
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect a carpet that withstood years of hard wear

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7
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint a hard disciplinarian who is quick to punish the tiniest violation of the rules

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8
as in solid
having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure hard candies fell on the hard floor and bruised her arm

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9
as in stable
having been established and usually not subject to change there isn't always a hard line between right and wrong

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10
as in sore
having or showing deep-seated resentment maintained hard feelings toward those who had cheated him

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11
as in adamant
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion a woman with a hard will who never budged from her chosen path

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12
as in historical
restricted to or based on fact that newscast is strictly devoted to hard news, as the producers prefer to leave the gossip to others

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hard

2 of 2

adverb

1
as in intensively
with great effort or determination we took a much-needed break after working hard all week a hard-won victory

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2
as in bitterly
with feelings of bitterness or grief took the news of their grandfather's death hard

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3
as in strongly
in a vigorous and forceful manner hit the ball hard, causing it to soar out of bounds the wind blew hard all day

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4
as in close
at, within, or to a short distance or time the groom stood hard by, ready to help, as the lady mounted the skittish horse

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5
as in harshly
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering the dog had been treated hard by his previous owner

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word hard different from other adjectives like it?

The words arduous and difficult are common synonyms of hard. While all three words mean "demanding great exertion or effort," hard implies the opposite of all that is easy.

farming is hard work

In what contexts can arduous take the place of hard?

In some situations, the words arduous and hard are roughly equivalent. However, arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion.

the arduous task of rebuilding

When would difficult be a good substitute for hard?

The words difficult and hard can be used in similar contexts, but difficult implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill or courage.

the difficult ascent of the mountain

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hard
Adjective
However, this is standard practice, and a hard credit inquiry is necessary for verification purposes and to guarantee your mortgage interest rate. — Dan Simms, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 Some cancers can’t be screened for or are hard to detect, but there are many factors that can help manage risk. — Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Colleges are already competing harder for the students who are available and are having more trouble predicting which acceptees will ultimately enroll. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Collin works hard at the contrast between indulgent luxe and everyday misery. — David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard
  1. difficult
  2. ruthless
  3. sturdy
  4. reasonable
  5. tough
  6. intense
  7. strict
  8. solid
Adjective
  • The losses linked to the demise of these groups are difficult to quantify, but participants and advocates say the impacts will reverberate across federal agencies for years.
    — Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Ground surveys can provide more detailed information at a particular site, but covering an entire subway corridor that way would be difficult.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Once the ruthless commander of Bosnian Serb forces, Mladic oversaw the siege of Sarajevo, mass killings and the 1995 Srebrenica massacre that left more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys dead.
    — Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter, like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruthless
Adjective
  • Natural and lab-grown diamonds are sturdy enough to hold up to everyday wear, with gems like sapphire and moissanite right behind them.
    — Larissa Ratschkowski, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026
  • These sturdy and reliable machines are great for both knocking out homework and streaming Netflix, with a big 24-inch FHD monitor that boasts good brightness and wide viewing angles.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • Taxpayers may qualify for relief due to a good compliance history, reasonable cause, or a statutory exception.
    — Jamela Adam, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • He’s also pushed to make sure The Gilded Age returned with new seasons as soon as was reasonable (those fancy parties and elaborate sets take time) and is looking to return Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on an annual basis.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of reasonable
Adjective
  • The war, and in particular Iran’s direct targeting of the Gulf, makes this approach a tough pill to swallow.
    — Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The conversation shifted from tougher ordinances toward resource allocation and investing in third spaces, which are places outside of work, school or home.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • Utilities have raised rates to pay for wildfire prevention and recovery as climate change has made the blazes more intense and frequent.
    — Sophie Austin, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Electrolyte beverages can help replenish hydration after an intense workout or stomach bug.
    — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • Legitimate alcohol manufacturers use strict quality controls, and all their products undergo extensive testing, which is expensive and takes quite a bit of time.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026
  • California has strict laws aimed at preventing collisions between cars and bikes.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of strict
Adjective
  • Made with solid brush fibers, the applicator combs and controls the placement of the product so the finish is clump-free.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Minasian didn’t deny that there have been problems in the ninth inning, and his larger point was that the Giants have solid relievers who can be part of a good bullpen.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of solid

Phrases Containing hard

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harbors
hard
hard-and-fast
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Cite this Entry

“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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