hard

adjective

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\ ˈhärd

Definition of hard

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : not easily penetrated : not easily yielding to pressure hard surfaces an uncomfortably hard chair

b of cheese : not capable of being spread : very firm

2a of liquor

(1) : having a harsh or acid taste

(2) : strongly alcoholic

b : characterized by the presence of salts (as of calcium or magnesium) that prevent lathering with soap hard water

3a : of or relating to radiation of relatively high penetrating power : having high energy hard X-rays

b : having or producing relatively great photographic contrast a hard negative

4a : metallic as distinct from paper hard money

b of currency : convertible into gold : stable in value

c : usable as currency paid in hard cash

d of currency : readily acceptable in international trade

e : being high and unlikely to change hard prices

5a : firmly and closely twisted hard yarns

b of fabrics : having a smooth close napless finish a hard worsted

6a : physically fit in good hard condition

b : resistant to stress or disease : hardy a hard plant

c : free of weakness : unyielding a man of hard unbending will

7a(1) : firm, definite reached a hard agreement

(2) : not speculative or conjectural : factual hard evidence

(3) : important or informative rather than sensational or entertaining hard news

(4) : expressed in a clear and decisive way : leaving no doubt Offers to install an electric door opener at her own expense were met with a hard no from the garage landlords, whose old-fashioned sensibilities dictated that their tenants use multiple manual locks to secure the space.— Ronnie Koenig The editor [Gene Policinski] said he told Ashe that "USA Today does not print unconfirmed stories from unattributed sources, but in the absence of a hard denial, or confirmation, the information seemed credible and we would continue to pursue the story."— William C. Rhoden — see also hard pass

b : close, searching gave a hard look

c : free from sentimentality or illusion : realistic good hard sense

d : unlikely to respond in a kind or sympathetic way : unfeeling a hard heart

8a(1) : difficult to bear or endure hard luck hard times

(2) : oppressive, inequitable sales taxes are hard on the poor a hard restriction

b(1) : lacking consideration, compassion, or gentleness : callous a hard greedy landlord

(2) : incapable of being corrected or disciplined : tough, unruly a hard gang

c(1) : harsh, severe, or offensive in tendency or effect said some hard things

(2) : marked by resentment hard feelings

(3) : strict, unrelenting drives a hard bargain

d : inflicting physical discomfort or hardship : inclement hard winter

e(1) : intense in force, manner, or degree hard blows

(2) : demanding the exertion of energy : calling for stamina and endurance hard work

(3) : performing or carrying on with great energy, intensity, or persistence a hard worker

f : most unyielding or thoroughgoing the hard political right

9a : characterized by sharp or harsh outline, rigid execution, and stiff drawing hard forms

b : sharply defined : stark hard shadows

c : lacking in shading, delicacy, or resonance hard singing tones

d : sounding as in candy and geese respectively —used of c and g the word arc is pronounced with a hard c

e : suggestive of toughness or insensitivity hard eyes

10a(1) : difficult to accomplish or resolve : troublesome hard problems the true story was hard to come by

(2) : difficult to comprehend or explain a hard concept

b : having difficulty in doing something hard of hearing

c : difficult to magnetize or demagnetize

11 : being at once addictive and gravely detrimental to health such hard drugs as heroin

12 : resistant to biodegradation hard detergents hard pesticides such as DDT

13 : being, schooled in, or using the methods of the natural sciences and especially of the physical sciences a hard scientist

14 of money : contributed (as by individuals or political action committees) directly to a particular candidate or campaign

hard

adverb

Definition of hard (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : with great or utmost effort or energy : strenuously were hard at work

b : in a violent manner : fiercely hit the ball hard The wind was blowing hard.

c : to the full extent —usually used in nautical directions steer hard aport

d : to an immoderate degree been drinking hard lately

e : in a searching, close, or concentrated manner stared hard at me

2a : in such a manner as to cause hardship, difficulty, or pain The economic downturn has hit the poor especially hard.

b : with rancor, bitterness, or grief took the defeat hard

3 : in a firm manner : tightly hold on hard

4 : to the point of hardness frozen hard

5 : close in time or space stands hard by the river

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about hard

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Choose the Right Synonym for hard

Adjective

hard, difficult, arduous mean demanding great exertion or effort. hard implies the opposite of all that is easy. farming is hard work difficult implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill or courage. the difficult ascent of the mountain arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion. the arduous task of rebuilding

Examples of hard in a Sentence

Adjective She was asked a lot of hard questions. We're going to have to make some hard choices. It was very hard to find a replacement for her. Their story is hard to believe. It's hard not to worry about her. It's hard to tell what she's thinking. He has learned a hard lesson. His health has suffered from years of hard living. This old bicycle has obviously gotten some hard use. Adverb You have to work hard in order to succeed. I know how hard she tried. She ran as hard as she could. We've thought long and hard about this problem. He hit the ball hard. The ball hit him hard on the wrist. He pressed his nose hard against the window. She pushed hard against the door, but it wouldn't open. The wind was blowing hard. The snow came down hard.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Waiting for the hard census data, though, would have run up against the late August date when March primary candidates can begin circulating their petitions. — Rick Pearson, chicagotribune.com, 31 May 2021 Those things that are hard to draw up on the chalkboard, and how fast things are going to happen. — Safid Deen, sun-sentinel.com, 31 May 2021 Losing 13 games in a row and 20 of 22 is hard to stomach. — Nathan Ruiz, baltimoresun.com, 31 May 2021 This cycle can be hard to recognize when, as now, hype dominates the market. — Charles Duhigg, The New Yorker, 31 May 2021 Witnessing Blacks fleeing, being murdered and seeing homes looted has been hard to outlive. — NBC News, 31 May 2021 Australia has taken a hard stance against China in recent years and the relationship between the nations has deteriorated. — Nick Perry, Star Tribune, 31 May 2021 These sweatshirts, though, are devilishly hard to find in England. — Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 31 May 2021 Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam that is played on grass, another surface where Osaka’s performance has not matched her dominance on hard courts. — BostonGlobe.com, 31 May 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Take the case of our battle against the pandemic; Pfizer, Moderna and many pharmaceutical companies have been working hard to develop, test and roll out vaccines to save lives. — Chor Meng Tan, Forbes, 1 June 2021 One school administrator said Glay also talked about working hard and setting a good example. — Washington Post, 1 June 2021 Let these thoughts turn into something productive this evening as the Moon aligns with hard-working Saturn at 11:25 pm EDT. — Tarot Astrologers, chicagotribune.com, 30 May 2021 The defense painted Bahena Rivera as a hard-working immigrant from Mexico who crossed the border illegally as a teenager in search of a better life and who was pressured into confessing to the slaying. — Stephanie Pagones, Fox News, 29 May 2021 Our parents — hard-working, blue-collar immigrant citizens — never imagined that their son suffered from manic depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. — Lizzy Feliciano, STAT, 29 May 2021 At Temple Bar Marina on the lake’s Arizona side, manager Jeff Darcangelo said employees have been working hard to make sure the moving operations go smoothly. — Ian James, The Arizona Republic, 28 May 2021 Hoffmann: Our neighbors are all hard-working people. — Joanne Kempinger Demski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 27 May 2021 Consumers, though, need to be aware that scammers have access to all sorts of information that's already out there and have been working hard to hack accounts. — Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 26 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hard.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

3 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard. Accessed 12 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for hard

hard

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of hard

(Entry 1 of 2)

: very firm or solid : not easy to bend, cut, etc. : not soft

: physically or mentally difficult : not easy

: difficult to experience : severe or harsh : having a lot of pain, trouble, or worries

hard

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of hard (Entry 2 of 2)

: with a lot of effort or energy

: in a very forceful way : in a loud and forceful way

: in a very direct and intense way

See the full definition for hard in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hard

adjective

\ ˈhärd

harder; hardest

Kids Definition of hard

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : not easily cut, pierced, or divided : not soft

2 : difficult to do or to understand a hard job That book contains some hard words.

3 : diligent, energetic I'm a hard worker.

4 : difficult to put up with : severe a hard winter a hard life

5 : sounding as the letter c in cold or the letter g in geese

6 : carried on with steady and earnest effort hours of hard study

7 : unfeeling He's a hard boss.

8 : high in alcoholic content hard drinks

9 : containing substances that prevent lathering with soap hard water

hard

adverb

harder; hardest

Kids Definition of hard (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : with great effort or energy I ran as hard as I could. "I would study very hard if I had a governess."— Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted

2 : in a forceful way The wind blew hard.

3 : with pain, bitterness, or resentment She took the defeat hard.

Choose the Right Synonym for hard

Adjective

hard, firm, and solid mean having a structure that can stand up against pressure. hard is used of something that does not easily bend, stretch, or dent. Steel is hard. firm is used of something that is flexible but also tough or compact. Exercise makes firm muscles. solid is used of something that has a fixed structure and is heavy and compact all the way through. They built a solid wall of bricks.