hardship

noun

hard·​ship ˈhärd-ˌship 

1

: privation, suffering

recovering from financial hardship

2

: something that causes or entails suffering or privation

the hardships of life on the frontier

Synonyms of hardship

• difficulty

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

That can make alternatives such as debt settlement appealing, particularly if financial hardship has made the original balance difficult to repay. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Some federal loans sometimes also qualify for loan forgiveness, hardship relief, and deferment and forbearance options that can impact your repayment timeline. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Economic hardship for working families and young people exacerbates their frustration and disenfranchisement, while a tepid Democratic leadership response adds to anti-establishment sentiment. — Andrew Cuomo, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Above all, Chapa 100 is a tribute to those who continue moving forward with tenderness and grace despite hardship. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026

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