hardship

noun

hard·​ship ˈhärd-ˌship 

1

: privation, suffering

recovering from financial hardship

2

: something that causes or entails suffering or privation

the hardships of life on the frontier

Synonyms of hardship

• difficulty

Examples of hardship in a Sentence

He had suffered through considerable hardship.

The city has been experiencing a period of financial hardship.

They had to endure the hardships of life on the frontier.

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite acknowledgement from coaches, athletic directors, and commissioners that the circumstances were entirely outside of our control and in no way athletically motivated, our hardship waiver was denied. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026

While many exiles long to return, with plans to volunteer or help create jobs, all cling to hope for Cuba, tempered by decades of hardship. —Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026

There’s bound to be an extended period of chaos, power struggles and hardship even under the best scenario. —Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026

Yet despite Mattel’s widening representation, sometimes there’s no storytelling more powerful than the hardships and accomplishments of a real person. —Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

hardship

noun

hard·​ship ˈhärd-ˌship 

1

: pain entry 1 sense 2a, privation

2

: something that causes pain or loss