as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
a hard-bitten Apache chief who could endure the scorching heat of the Arizona desert
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Recent Examples of hard-bitten
Her hard-bitten, cynical persona provides a nice juxtaposition to how maudlin so much commentary about motherhood can be.
—
Jason Zinoman,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
But the sentiments are the razors in the apples: hard-bitten, painful, wise from disappointment, and braced for the next crisis.
—
Spin Team,
SPIN,
28 Nov. 2024
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
Jason Zinoman,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
But the sentiments are the razors in the apples: hard-bitten, painful, wise from disappointment, and braced for the next crisis.
—
Spin Team,
SPIN,
28 Nov. 2024
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-bitten
Adjective
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
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While linen and silk are light and airy, some occasions call for a sturdier yet equally breathable option.
Adjective
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The minty leaves of this winter-hardy plant can be used as a culinary herb.
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Plant hardy arborvitae in zones 2 through 8, placing containers in areas with dappled sunlight, full sun, or partial shade.
Adjective
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Projections varied in the weeks leading up to the draft with no real consensus among draft analysts, but in the last 24 hours there were strong indications the Clippers would choose Wagler and the Nets would take Brown.
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Your desire for solitude and introspection is strong during today’s Scorpio moon.
Adjective
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In the midst of the rugged match, Sweden lost one of its top players to a non-contact injury.
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The search for Gracie the giraffe, missing in Texas, hit its two-week mark on June 25 as the manager of her ranch is continuing to scour rugged terrain from the ground and sky.
Adjective
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Summer 2026 is having a tough time deciding on this season’s dominating nail trend.
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These are typically low-wage jobs that the healthcare industry writ large has had a tough time recruiting for since the pandemic.
Adjective
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Kimberli Pierce said her husband came home a hardened man.
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Strong integrity, without humility or collaboration, becomes rigidity—as seen in Steve Jobs, whose candor fueled innovation but hardened relationships.
Adjective
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Levine Cava gave the golden-colored dog a vigorous pat on the head.
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Leave as many green fronds on your palms as possible to keep them vigorous and healthy.
Adjective
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Saddleback Caterpillar has a stout, brown body about an inch long with a bright green rectangle and an oval saddle marking on its back.
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Turning its back on views of the Santa Rita Mountains, the home’s interior revolved around a dim central kitchen and an awkward sunken garden bounded by stout masonry columns that held up the roof but restricted movement through the space.
Cite this Entry
“Hard-bitten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-bitten. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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