hard-bitten

adjective

hard-bit·​ten ˈhärd-ˈbi-tᵊn How to pronounce hard-bitten (audio)
1
: inclined to bite hard
2
: seasoned or steeled by difficult experience : tough

Examples of hard-bitten in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Alaska has devolved into a colony of big oil, and its politics have become so closed, hard-bitten, and strident. Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2015

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hard-bitten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard-bitten was in 1686

Dictionary Entries Near hard-bitten

Cite this Entry

“Hard-bitten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-bitten. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hard-bitten

adjective
hard-bit·​ten
-ˈbit-ᵊn
: tough entry 1 sense 3
hard-bitten veterans
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!