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
One of the main challenges with developing one is that medicines often have a hard time surviving harsh stomach acids.
—
Alice Park, Time, 23 Dec. 2025
Many have a hard time finding a partner who can handle the long absences.
—Corey Buhay, Outside, 18 Dec. 2025
The allies say Newsom’s name and his anti-Trump position has also been a big sell for other Democratic candidates, at a time when some Democrats have had a hard time raising money.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2025
With the discovery of her sister's remains, Heather had a hard time accepting the tragic news.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for have a hard time
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Alice Park, Time, 23 Dec. 2025
Many have a hard time finding a partner who can handle the long absences.
—Corey Buhay, Outside, 18 Dec. 2025
The allies say Newsom’s name and his anti-Trump position has also been a big sell for other Democratic candidates, at a time when some Democrats have had a hard time raising money.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2025
With the discovery of her sister's remains, Heather had a hard time accepting the tragic news.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025
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 1 Jan. 2026.
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