1
as in hardship
something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal
the test questions were rated for hardness, a rating of five indicating the most difficult
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in severity
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism)
the aunt's hardness gradually crumbled under the influence of the little orphan's endearing ways
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hardness
As his younger, more romantic self, that hardness never quite goes away.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Known for its hardness and high melting point, petalite is already valued in heat- and scratch-resistant glass and ceramics.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
In one-of-a-kind high-jewelry chokers and necklaces, the design is rendered in black diamond-like carbon, or DLC—a high-tech material known for its exceptional hardness and scratch-resistance that is often used in watchmaking—and combined with diamonds and yellow gold for an avant-garde look.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2026
This tiny snail’s shell combines hardness, toughness and energy dissipation in a way that very few single-phase materials can.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Known for its hardness and high melting point, petalite is already valued in heat- and scratch-resistant glass and ceramics.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
In one-of-a-kind high-jewelry chokers and necklaces, the design is rendered in black diamond-like carbon, or DLC—a high-tech material known for its exceptional hardness and scratch-resistance that is often used in watchmaking—and combined with diamonds and yellow gold for an avant-garde look.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2026
This tiny snail’s shell combines hardness, toughness and energy dissipation in a way that very few single-phase materials can.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardness
Noun
-
To date, the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation has raised more than $610,000, providing grants, scholarships, and financial support to more than 230 local food and beverage professionals during times of hardship.—
Lauren Crawford,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Those who qualify for a hardship deferment include people receiving certain types of federal or state aid and anyone volunteering in the Peace Corps, Kantrowitz said.—
Kamaron McNair,Annie Nova,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Orkin's bed bug treatment methods may include targeted applications, heat treatments or a combination of strategies, depending on the severity.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The department said the driver's seat was the only part of the car that remained intact, but despite the severity of the crash, the driver suffered only minor injuries.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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If not treated early, the infection can progress to more serious symptoms, such as joint swelling and arthritis, nerve pain, tingling or numbness, facial muscle weakness, heart inflammation and difficulties with memory or concentration.—
Emily Bache,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
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Charter school groups and lawmakers who backed the law say IPEC will rescue Indianapolis public schools from financial difficulties and share tax revenues more fairly with the city's myriad charter and innovation schools.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardness. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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