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

Daiane Sodré, fashion model and Delivering Good brand ambassador, helped set the tone for the evening through a moving video spotlighting the importance of providing confidence, hope and opportunity to those facing hardship. — David Moin, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026

Cut off from its Venezuelan lifeline and without electricity for all but a few hours a day, the economic hardships and human suffering in Cuba have dramatically worsened in recent months. — Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2026

About 8 in 10 Americans who voted in House races felt inflation had caused their family severe or moderate hardship in the past year, with most of them supporting Democrats. — Sofi Sinozich, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026

McDonald, who served there for two-and-a-half years, fell into financial hardship and was out of a job. — CBS News, 4 Nov. 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