hard-hitting

adjective

hard-hit·​ting ˈhärd-ˈhi-tiŋ How to pronounce hard-hitting (audio)
: strikingly effective in force or result
a hard-hitting exposé
plain hard-hitting English

Examples of hard-hitting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Co-produced by Javier Sampedro, Yoyi Lagarza and Drumglass, the song is rooted in an alternative pop sound laced with an edgy reparto melody that’s backed by the genre’s distinct hard-hitting clave instrumentation. Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026 Stanton, meanwhile, is 4-for-8 so far this season following a hard-hitting spring. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026 Produced by Jeff Rosenstock, the new album from ex-Cayetana songwriter Augusta Koch revisits her old band’s punky power-pop with hard-hitting lyrics about self-improvement and communal uplift. Tatiana Tenreyro, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026 Finally, someone was asking the hard-hitting questions. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026 Dallas spoke to the hard-hitting linebacker in Indianapolis. Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026 The Salute to Excellence honored Barlett for being one of the first African American board members at a major Hollywood talent agency, for her work as a hard-hitting vocal advocate for DEI in the industry, and for serving on the executive board of the Time’s Up movement. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026 The hard-hitting track comes off the Belfast trio’s forthcoming LP, Fenian, out April 24 via Heavenly Recordings. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2026 The hard-hitting style of Japanese professional wrestling here on American soil. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard-hitting was in 1831

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hard-hitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-hitting. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

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