hardship

noun

hard·​ship ˈhärd-ˌship 

1

: privation, suffering

recovering from financial hardship

2

: something that causes or entails suffering or privation

the hardships of life on the frontier

Synonyms of hardship

• difficulty

Examples of hardship in a Sentence

He had suffered through considerable hardship.

The city has been experiencing a period of financial hardship.

They had to endure the hardships of life on the frontier.

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite the unpaid wages and hardship, Bondele and hundreds of workers continue to show up to the hospital seven days a week. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

In the 2020s archbishop Ole Sapit has spoken out frequently on national issues, including constitutional governance, political corruption, economic hardship, and the relationship between church and state. — Stephanie Triplettall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

This trend is linked to widespread public anger and division, reminiscent of historical periods where economic hardship fueled calls for systemic change. — Mike Patton, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

The stops are punctuated by excerpts from Peter Bogdanovich’s 1971 The Last Picture Show and as reflections on past and present hardships facing the film exhibition industry. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

hardship

noun

hard·​ship ˈhärd-ˌship 

1

: pain entry 1 sense 2a, privation

2

: something that causes pain or loss