hard-hitting

adjective

hard-hit·​ting ˈhärd-ˈhi-tiŋ How to pronounce hard-hitting (audio)
: strikingly effective in force or result
a hard-hitting exposé
plain hard-hitting English

Examples of hard-hitting in a Sentence

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.
Defensively, Jacksonville State transfer lineman Emmanuel Oyebadejo is hard to miss at 6-foot-6, 303 pounds, while hard-hitting Baylor transfer defensive back DJ Coleman will factor on the back end or in the slot. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026 The match was fast-paced and featured hard-hitting action as all competitors tried to make quick work of each other. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026 North Andover has pop in the lineup behind four-year star center fielder Lauren Lynch, fellow senior outfielder Lily Fabiano and hard-hitting first baseman Riley Davis. Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026 In the third part of the interview published Thursday, Cooke was asked a few hard-hitting questions about the time of Batula and Wilson’s relationship, which has been speculated about online. Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026 Accompanying the hard-hitting track about a type of individual lost to yesteryear is a touching music video starring none other than Gary Sinise of Apollo 13 and Forrest Gump fame. Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026 Co-produced by Javier Sampedro, Yoyi Lagarza and Drumglass, the song is rooted in an alternative pop sound laced with an edgy reparto melody that’s backed by the genre’s distinct hard-hitting clave instrumentation. Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026 Stanton, meanwhile, is 4-for-8 so far this season following a hard-hitting spring. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026 Produced by Jeff Rosenstock, the new album from ex-Cayetana songwriter Augusta Koch revisits her old band’s punky power-pop with hard-hitting lyrics about self-improvement and communal uplift. Tatiana Tenreyro, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard-hitting was in 1831

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Cite this Entry

“Hard-hitting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-hitting. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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