Synonyms of hard
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as in difficult 
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as in ruthless
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as in sturdy
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as in reasonable
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as in tough
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as in intense
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as in strict
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as in solid
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as in stable
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as in sore
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as in stubborn
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as in historical
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as in intensively
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as in bitterly
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as in strongly
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as in close
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as in harshly
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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 stubborn
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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hard
WIRED, 13 Feb. 2023
That die-hard fan base in Phoenix got a taste of glory in 2021 when the Suns were up two games to none in the Finals on the Milwaukee Bucks before dropping the next four and ultimately losing the championship series.
—Max Olsan, The Arizona Republic, 13 Feb. 2023
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
Dufresne’s mother, who has taken the news hard, is in Haiti.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard
Adjective
But unlike climate change, turning it around doesn’t have to be that hard, and the benefits will be felt immediately.
—WIRED, 13 Feb. 2023
That die-hard fan base in Phoenix got a taste of glory in 2021 when the Suns were up two games to none in the Finals on the Milwaukee Bucks before dropping the next four and ultimately losing the championship series.
—Max Olsan, The Arizona Republic, 13 Feb. 2023
Adverb
While Devon Walker indicated earlier this week that Saturday Night Live fans are perhaps taking his and his fellow cast members’ departures harder than the actors themselves, the former repertory player revealed today the decision to leave was a mutual one.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
Dufresne’s mother, who has taken the news hard, is in Haiti.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard
Adjective
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Palace’s recruitment strategy depends on selling players, however difficult such deals are to stomach.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
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The Chamber said the cancellation was a difficult decision but ultimately the best course of action.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Sweeney stars as Penny Jo, a South Dakota diner waitress with an appealing smile, an ingratiating stammer, a scarf in her hair, and deep reserves of ruthless ambition.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Aug. 2025
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Early in his career, Trump apprenticed himself to Roy Cohn, an unprincipled lawyer who taught the young Donald how to gain wealth and influence through ruthless bullying, profane braggadocio, opportunistic bigotry, baseless lawsuits, lying, and more lying.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Cast Iron Square Skillet Grill This 9.5-inch square skillet pan is made from sturdy cast iron, giving meats and vegetables that juicy, chargrilled flavor and appearance — with no real grilling actually required.—
Emily Weaver,
People.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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However, taxpayers who can’t get through on the phone in a reasonable time may get frustrated and hang up without a resolution.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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By any reasonable standard, the Republican Party, both in Connecticut and nationally, has morphed into a right-wing extremist party – there are few moderates left to be found – as Republicans actively work to concentrate political and economic power in the hands of America’s billionaire elite.—
Martin M. Looney,
Hartford Courant,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Even if increasing competition and financial obstruction have influenced summer recruitment, making this season’s challenges tougher, the confidence in Unai Emery and Villa’s football department remains unerring.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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Unlike Trump, they aren’t charmed by the Kremlin’s tough guy.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The dog days of summer brought intense heat to the Volunteer State, including a nearly month-long streak of 90-degree days in July, the fifth longest in Nashville’s history, said the weather service.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
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In July, intense rains inundated the Phoenix area, flooding roadways and leaving drivers stranded.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Climate activists will lean heavily on the ICJ opinion to justify stricter enforcement of the Paris Agreement.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Indianapolis City-County Council Democrats on Aug. 27 rejected a Republican push to set specific fines for parents and guardians whose children violate the city's new, stricter youth curfew ordinance.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Even the bullpen is solid; that group ranks right around the top third of all 30 teams in wins above replacement.—
Jared Wyllys,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Through his first three seasons, LSU has been solid — never winning fewer than nine games — but has not been elite.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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