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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hardness
Load size, water hardness, soil level and machine type all affect how much detergent your laundry actually needs per load.
—
Ryan Brennan
may 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Going into the study, the team hypothesized that pincers built for generating high crushing force would contain the highest levels of metal to provide maximum hardness, while enrichment in the weaker, slender pincers would be lower.
—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
1 May 2026
Its replaceable filters will help reduce water hardness.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Depending on your water hardness, the humidifier will need a deep cleaning from time to time.
—
John R. Delaney,
PC Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Ryan Brennan
may 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Going into the study, the team hypothesized that pincers built for generating high crushing force would contain the highest levels of metal to provide maximum hardness, while enrichment in the weaker, slender pincers would be lower.
—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
1 May 2026
Its replaceable filters will help reduce water hardness.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Depending on your water hardness, the humidifier will need a deep cleaning from time to time.
—
John R. Delaney,
PC Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardness
Noun
-
The decrease in customers comes at a crucial time, after years of hardships for local restaurateurs.
-
The town’s predicament highlights the limits of any ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, and the lingering hardship faced by residents whose lives have been upended by years of conflict.
Noun
-
In Guatire, in Miranda state, preliminary reports indicate that several people were injured, though the severity of the injuries and the exact number of those affected remain unclear.
-
Too much of it can cause brain damage, and pediatricians must regularly check for bilirubin in newborns to measure the severity of the jaundice and determine whether the child needs treatment.
Noun
-
Patients face access issues, opaque pricing, surprise bills, fragmented records, and difficulty navigating payer networks, while providers are frustrated by the high administrative burden and challenges getting paid for quality care.
-
Although my bridge remained smoother, I was left with one side of my nose collapsed, a droopy tip, and even breathing difficulties—my nasal passages always felt kind of clogged.
Cite this Entry
“Hardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardness. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
