hard time
noun
US
: a long or difficult prison sentence
He could be facing hard time for his crimes.
Examples of hard time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But out of that hard time — which was closely followed by the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 — came some of Junior’s early hits, and also his $ad Boy aesthetic.
—
Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2026
The proposal comes at a time when many families in Johnson County are having a hard time finding affordable, nearby child care options as Kansas faces a severe child care shortage.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
This might be why Bailey is having a hard time meeting a man.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2026
Their young children are staying with grandma for the night, and Vida — the more grounded and maternal parent — is having a hard time with the separation.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard time
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Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2026
The proposal comes at a time when many families in Johnson County are having a hard time finding affordable, nearby child care options as Kansas faces a severe child care shortage.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
This might be why Bailey is having a hard time meeting a man.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2026
Their young children are staying with grandma for the night, and Vida — the more grounded and maternal parent — is having a hard time with the separation.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard time
Cite this Entry
“Hard time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard%20time. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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