have a hard time
idiom
: to experience difficulty doing something
She's having a hard time living within her budget.
The school has had a hard time recruiting substitute teachers.
He's been having a hard time with his research paper.
Examples of have a hard time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Throughout history, the most powerful countries have often had a hard time finding friends.
—
Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
While Bryant was able to come from behind, the Lady Hornets had a hard time shaking off the Lady Warriors.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
But without Metcalf, Aaron Rodgers and company had a hard time against the Browns' defense, which included three passes from the four-time MVP quarterback to Marquez Valdes-Scantling at the end of the game that all went incomplete in the end zone.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Democrats had a hard time navigating the year; this was interesting to watch.
—Nicole Russell, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for have a hard time
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Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
While Bryant was able to come from behind, the Lady Hornets had a hard time shaking off the Lady Warriors.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
But without Metcalf, Aaron Rodgers and company had a hard time against the Browns' defense, which included three passes from the four-time MVP quarterback to Marquez Valdes-Scantling at the end of the game that all went incomplete in the end zone.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Democrats had a hard time navigating the year; this was interesting to watch.
—Nicole Russell, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for have a hard time
Cite this Entry
“Have a hard time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have%20a%20hard%20time. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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