as in poor
lacking money or material possessions
despite being undeniably hard up, they had too much pride to accept charity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 hard up
Cleveland Browns Stadium, hard up against the Science Center lawn, was plunged into darkness.
—
Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
Once the timing of the case pushed hard up against a national election in which Trump was likely to run, forbearance would have been the proper and public-spirited course.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 14 Jan. 2024
Considering the Heat’s position hard up against the second apron of the punitive luxury tax, 10–day contracts stand as a means to pay only when needed, 10 days at a time, at the veteran-minimum, scale.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024
The Habs are getting there, incrementally, and GM Kent Hughes might have to consider surrendering the No. 5 pick if one of the 10-12 clubs hard up against the cap offers an overpayment in terms of legit NHL players under contract.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for hard up
Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
Once the timing of the case pushed hard up against a national election in which Trump was likely to run, forbearance would have been the proper and public-spirited course.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 14 Jan. 2024
Considering the Heat’s position hard up against the second apron of the punitive luxury tax, 10–day contracts stand as a means to pay only when needed, 10 days at a time, at the veteran-minimum, scale.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024
The Habs are getting there, incrementally, and GM Kent Hughes might have to consider surrendering the No. 5 pick if one of the 10-12 clubs hard up against the cap offers an overpayment in terms of legit NHL players under contract.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for hard up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard up
Adjective
-
There’s a real debate to be had about what responsibility better-off neighborhoods like Hyde Park have to help solve humanitarian problems that often are laid at the feet of poorer areas.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
-
The strong United cohort, almost entirely comprised of dominant sides under Ferguson, has not shied away from criticising the club, players and managers when results have been poor.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
On the idyllic shores of the once popular tourist hot spot Inle Lake, in southern Shan state, the earthquake destroyed hundreds of bamboo houses on stilts occupied by impoverished villagers, according to aid workers.—
Ross Adkin,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
-
These navigators link impoverished Floridians with the network of religious and community organizations that support them and teach them how to take of themselves, according to Hope Florida’s supporters.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The match-up broke ratings records, with nearly 128 million viewers tuning in, according to Nielsen.—
Judy Kurtz,
The Hill,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Fake Wedding follows two broke singles who throw a fake wedding to cash in on the registry and the very real problems the make-believe couple encounters.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard%20up. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share