as in perplexed
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do
they will be hard-pressed to come up with any facts that actually support their argument
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Recent Examples of hard-pressed
Midcentury-modern enthusiasts would be hard-pressed to find a more exemplary estate than this one in L.A.’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which actually combines two stalwarts of the time period, visionary architect Richard Neutra and the influential Case Study Houses program.
—
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2025
Only the beefiest gaming rigs can dream of powering its 3,840 x 2,160-pixel resolution at the full 240-Hz refresh rate, but those who can will be hard-pressed to find anything stronger.
—Brad Bourque, Wired News, 18 Sep. 2025
If this were to happen, Congress would be hard-pressed to write a new statute that creates pre-termination hearings or otherwise seeks to limit the power of the president that would satisfy the court’s aggressive support for presidential removals.
—James B. Speta, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Despite their numbers, Wolverines fans will be hard-pressed to top Ohio State fans’ takeover of Wrigleyville last year.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2025
Only the beefiest gaming rigs can dream of powering its 3,840 x 2,160-pixel resolution at the full 240-Hz refresh rate, but those who can will be hard-pressed to find anything stronger.
—Brad Bourque, Wired News, 18 Sep. 2025
If this were to happen, Congress would be hard-pressed to write a new statute that creates pre-termination hearings or otherwise seeks to limit the power of the president that would satisfy the court’s aggressive support for presidential removals.
—James B. Speta, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Despite their numbers, Wolverines fans will be hard-pressed to top Ohio State fans’ takeover of Wrigleyville last year.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-pressed
Adjective
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As Markovic corrected himself, taking back the goal, the cameras cut to the Panthers' head coach Paul Maurice, who was visibly perplexed at the scenario as Devils fans cheered in the background.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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One strange phenomenon that has perplexed mathematicians for decades is that, even when friction is minimal, that steady train of gently rolling waves still eventually falls apart and becomes irregular.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Looking aghast, Kylie couldn’t help but go silent with a baffled expression for several seconds.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
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Thousands of commenters responded with laughter, surprise, and sympathy for the dog’s baffled expression.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Sholder appeared in the documentary and seemed more bewildered about all of this than anything else.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
31 Oct. 2025
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The canine, clearly confused, stared up, visibly bewildered and waiting patiently for the affection to finally land.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While the person being filmed is embarrassed, the one filming walks away with a reputation and clout.—
Eli Thompson,
Rolling Stone,
25 Oct. 2025
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The narrator and her friend seem slightly embarrassed at the possibility of being overheard—seeing the couple perhaps reminds them that Americans are not simply an idea on a page or in a newspaper headline, but actual people.—
Rhian Sasseen,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-pressed. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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