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
Incumbent Bridget Gainer has a remarkable record of public service, including her die-hard efforts to breathe life into the Cook County Land Bank — a great idea for redeveloping underused property that has failed to reach its potential. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026 His die-hard Red Shirt supporters took to the streets of Bangkok in 2010 in protests that were violently put down. Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026 The idea was born of a recent trend of die-hard fans attending Pitbull concerts in bald caps, aviators, and snug-fitting suit jackets. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026 If even a die-hard Huppert admirer like me has trouble getting through it, why would a casual cinephile bother? Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Feb. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Die hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/die%20hard. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

die-hard

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