HARDSCRABBLE Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

hardscrabble

adjective

ˈhärd-ˌskra-bəl

Definition of hardscrabble

as in desolate

producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation it was hard to eke out even a bare existence on the hardscrabble lands

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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.

Recent Examples of hardscrabble Instructed to write hillbilly music for hardscrabble whites, and racy R&B for the working-class black crowd, Q began to sell traditional country under the table using his mother’s name — even to one of the labels’ presidents, for his other artists to perform. — Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 1 June 2026 In San Isidro, a movement was born Castillo and Otero grew up in San Isidro, a working class, hardscrabble neighborhood abutting the wharfs near the Port of Havana, and became friends – one a rapper, the other a visual artist. — Rick Jervis, USA Today, 13 May 2026 State Republican chairman Ben Proto, who will oversee the convention, pointed to New Britain city hall because it is now run by a Democratic mayor and former state legislator who took over when Stewart declined to seek re-election and left office in the hardscrabble city. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2026 Hoyos has come a long way from a hardscrabble childhood. — Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hardscrabble

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardscrabble

Adjective

Exploring Indonesia—an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands—over more than a decade has led me to some truly jaw-dropping beaches, some gloriously desolate, others vibrantly alive with international travelers, expats, and locals.

— Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2026
Noisemaker feels a genuine kinship with the Gallico story, including its setting, a desolate stretch of coastline in eastern England.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of desolate

Adjective

Without vegetation, a barren burn scar allows runoff to flow more quickly.

— Jamie Stengle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
At the rocky, barren peninsula of Depotodden, though, there was an uncomfortable reminder that even this remote coastline is connected to the rest of the world.

— Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of barren

Adjective

But perhaps the most impressive thing the seemingly tireless Parton did during her 80 years was donate much of her wealth to impoverished communities.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
The loosened restrictions will not empower Washington to pursue investment and economic cooperation with al Sharaa’s government, which could transform the impoverished country.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of impoverished

Adjective

Although the news may be bleak for the dinner's thousands of supporters, the committee also shared a glimmer of hope.

— Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Aug. 2026
In many ways, her life feels like a bleak look at the false promise of placing all of your need for validation in your husband.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of bleak

Adjective

Dozens of companies have withdrawn over the past decades due to poor profits, an uncertain business outlook and concerns about harm to their reputations from making arms, especially lethal weapons.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Along the way, the audience can expect tons of humiliation, terrible second prizes, and the guarantee that Robertson will turn at least one poor soul's wrong turn into several minutes of unhinged public destruction.

— Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of poor

Browse Nearby Words

hard put

hardscrabble

hard-shell

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“Hardscrabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardscrabble. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hardscrabble

adjective

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