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
Recent Examples on the Web
But here’s the truth most entrepreneurs learn the hard way: a great idea is just the starting line.
—
Melissa Houston, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Denise Richards had to learn a lesson in technology the hard way.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
In one of their more peculiar games of this season, the Nuggets won the hard way.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2025
As Givenchy found out the hard way, product reformulation is a risk—especially for something the brand is known for.
—Lindy Segal, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the hard way
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Melissa Houston, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Denise Richards had to learn a lesson in technology the hard way.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
In one of their more peculiar games of this season, the Nuggets won the hard way.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2025
As Givenchy found out the hard way, product reformulation is a risk—especially for something the brand is known for.
—Lindy Segal, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the hard way
Cite this Entry
“The hard way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20hard%20way. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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