Synonyms of hard
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as in ruthless 
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as in difficult
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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 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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2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
clearing land is hard work a hard exam to pass
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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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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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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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hard work
hard choices
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
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
The club’s board have not signed any defenders — when Ancelotti and his staff have expressed their desire for reinforcements in the last three transfer windows — and injuries have bitten hard in that position.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 28 Mar. 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
Martin’s work has taken on a furious pace in the past few months amid the Trump administration’s campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion protocols and health, welfare and Medicaid cuts that will fall hard on vulnerable Black Americans.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
The club’s board have not signed any defenders — when Ancelotti and his staff have expressed their desire for reinforcements in the last three transfer windows — and injuries have bitten hard in that position.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard
Adjective
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Pierce Brosnan's patriarch is ruthless, but is his wife actually pulling the strings?—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
30 Mar. 2025
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Successful entrepreneurs are ruthless with time and priorities Successful entrepreneurs are ruthless with their time and fiercely protective of their focus.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There are very big match-ups being played week in and week out in what is one of the most difficult leagues to play in on the planet, this means the big contenders will drop points more often than in some other leagues.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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Generations of design successors have insisted that pie charts are difficult to read and even amount to optical informatic illusions, but we are still stuck with them.—
Mara Mills,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Blue Jackets signed another college free agent on Wednesday, adding stout and sturdy defenseman Caleb MacDonald from the University of North Dakota on a two-year entry-level contract that begins next season.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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These insights shaped every detail of the grill—from the cook engine to the closed cabinet that discreetly hides the gas tank to the sturdy stainless-steel handle, a signature of Weber quality.—
Tim Clark,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The plaintiffs’ argument broadens the scope of EPCA beyond reasonable bounds, District Judge Ronnie Abrams wrote in the court’s opinion.—
Akielly Hu,
Wired News,
29 Mar. 2025
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That would give it around 240 miles of range in the real world, which is reasonable.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As long as Flagg is on the floor, the Blue Devils will be a tough out.—
Tobias Bass,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
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The opening weekend miss for what was a very buzzy Sundance title back in 2023 about a troubled but ambitious bodybuilder follows controversy around its star and comes at a tough time for indie films in general.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The May 1945 bombing came on the heels of another intense U.S. firebombing campaign known as Operation Meetinghouse.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 Apr. 2025
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The sun has once again unleashed a powerful solar flare, continuing its streak of intense activity.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The reporting requirements for school officials who suspect abuse have become stricter in the last 20 years, Pernerewski notes.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
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For instance, while Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert may try to adhere to a strict framing, Mulaney prefers a more meandering format between himself and announcer Richard Kind.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The outcome is a solid software foundation that allows data scientists and developers to concentrate on creating AI solutions instead of grappling with infrastructure.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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The solid, one-piece stone island spotlights the kitchen.—
David Caraccio,
Sacramento Bee,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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