die hard

1 of 2

phrase

1
: to be long in dying
Such rumors die hard.
2
: to continue resistance against hopeless odds
That kind of determination dies hard.

die-hard

2 of 2

adjective

: strongly or fanatically determined or devoted
die-hard fans
especially : strongly resisting change
a die-hard conservative
diehard noun
die-hardism noun

Examples of die hard in a Sentence

Adjective the die-hard purists are never going to accept certain words, no matter who uses them
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Every March, millions of Americans — from die-hard basketball fans to casual office pool participants — fill out their NCAA tournament brackets with the hope of somehow predicting the unpredictable. Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2026 Some questions are so difficult, the most die-hard Duke fan might struggle. Storey Wertheimer, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026 On what many onlookers credited with being the loudest night of the season, a kindergartner perhaps epitomized what many of this city’s oldest and most die-hard fans are finally feeling. Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026 Even the most die-hard anti-American cleric in the Iranian political system did not harbor illusions that Iran could defeat the United States in conventional ways. Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for die hard

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of die hard was in 1922

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Die hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/die%20hard. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

die-hard

adjective
ˈdī-ˌhärd
: strongly or excessively determined or devoted
die-hard fans
diehard noun
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