as in difficulties
something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal
working two jobs was a hardship he was willing to endure to get out of debt
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Recent Examples of hardships
But fortunately, those hardships brought the team closer.
—
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Haase said some families now come forward to ask if counselors can support their child through family hardships such as a divorce.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2025
These trees know how to withstand hardships—including scorching Southern summers—and require little to no maintenance once they are established.
—Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
The Gilberts have faced hardships in recent years, including the death in 2023 of their 26-year-old son, Nick Gilbert, from a genetic disorder, and Dan Gilbert's stroke in May 2019 that put him in a wheelchair.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
And, without needing to preach, Preparation for the Next Life delineates the limits of immigrants reaching for solidarity from white Americans who may be experiencing their own hardships, but who are never going to be in danger of being deported.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent aid cuts have deepened hardships for families.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
The laughs may be hard to come by, but the emphasis on caring — not as a burden to escape, but a responsibility to embrace — more than makes up for the hardships along the way.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
Since spring 2024, the diner has been open limited hours because of financial hardships.
—Bahar Anooshahr, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Haase said some families now come forward to ask if counselors can support their child through family hardships such as a divorce.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2025
These trees know how to withstand hardships—including scorching Southern summers—and require little to no maintenance once they are established.
—Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
The Gilberts have faced hardships in recent years, including the death in 2023 of their 26-year-old son, Nick Gilbert, from a genetic disorder, and Dan Gilbert's stroke in May 2019 that put him in a wheelchair.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
And, without needing to preach, Preparation for the Next Life delineates the limits of immigrants reaching for solidarity from white Americans who may be experiencing their own hardships, but who are never going to be in danger of being deported.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent aid cuts have deepened hardships for families.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
The laughs may be hard to come by, but the emphasis on caring — not as a burden to escape, but a responsibility to embrace — more than makes up for the hardships along the way.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
Since spring 2024, the diner has been open limited hours because of financial hardships.
—Bahar Anooshahr, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardships
difficulties
Noun
-
It's become well established as an excellent choice for elderly people with nutrition problems or swallowing difficulties.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Fathers spoke of feeling abandoned by the government and the difficulties of getting help.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardships.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardships. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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