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

Miley told People at the time that music is how the two have always stayed bonded, even amid family hardships. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

Having already weathered so many attacks aimed at diminishing its power, the remaining Iranian leadership, which learned to tolerate hardship in the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, is unlikely to be cowed by further aggression. — James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026

The shortages are adding to the hardships of those living in temporary shelters after having lost homes and belongings. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Typically held over four weeks, the courses generally cost $70 (or $30 for those experiencing economic hardship). — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 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