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
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Recent Examples of hardness
The water’s mineral content and its softness or hardness comes into play with the fermenting process, Martin said.
—
Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
Martin has a true hardness in his game, attacking the high-percentage areas and is an extremely physical player.
—Corey Pronman, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
The column wheel is thermally blued, a process that not only enhances corrosion resistance but also increases surface hardness, and importantly - looks pleasing to the eye.
—Matthew Catellier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
What are the limits for softness or hardness or smoothness or other characteristics of the material?
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
Martin has a true hardness in his game, attacking the high-percentage areas and is an extremely physical player.
—Corey Pronman, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
The column wheel is thermally blued, a process that not only enhances corrosion resistance but also increases surface hardness, and importantly - looks pleasing to the eye.
—Matthew Catellier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
What are the limits for softness or hardness or smoothness or other characteristics of the material?
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardness
Noun
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Below, Deadline speaks to Victor about their directorial debut, building a loving friendship and getting through the unspeakable hardships that life can throw at you.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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Now employers must show a substantial hardship when refusing to honor religious beliefs or practices, such as allowing employees to wear a yarmulke, hijab or turban, pray at work or to schedule work around religious observances.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Yet, the severity of gendered crime during Partition wasn’t caused by an arbitrary upsurge of madness.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
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Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms such as hives and lip swelling to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, that may include fatal respiratory problems.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Advertisement Someone with aphasia might have difficulty forming full sentences, instead repeating jumbled words, or will start slurring.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
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Yet research also shows that higher levels of screen use are linked to attention and emotion regulation difficulties.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardness. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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