hardship

noun

hard·​ship ˈhärd-ˌship 

1

: privation, suffering

2

: something that causes or entails suffering or privation

Synonyms

• adversity
• asperity
• difficulty
• hardness
• rigor

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

While these results provide discouraging news about debt relief as a solution to the problems caused by medical debt, the hardships caused by debt are all too real. —Katherine Hempstead, STAT, 7 June 2024

In his graduation speech, Hogan commended his classmates for their perseverance through the pandemic and various hardships. —Melissa Noel, Essence, 5 June 2024

The primary change was a looser definition of hardship. —Ron Lieber, New York Times, 1 June 2024

People who want a hearing anyway must request it within 21 days and make an advance deposit of the full amount of the citation or get a hardship waiver. —Daryl James, Orange County Register, 27 May 2024

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