the hard way

noun

: in a way that involves difficult or painful experiences

He found out the hard way that crime doesn't pay.

She insisted on doing things the hard way.

Examples of the hard way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Quite the perspective and juxtaposition to DeChambeau, who had to find out the hard way. — Jon Root, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2026

Skims learned that lesson the hard way when its $148 12-Day Accessories Advent Calendar sparked backlash on TikTok this week. — Sophie Dunne, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2026

Elections have consequences, and many voters learned that the hard way after 2024. — Jose M. Muñoz, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore found that out the hard way. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for the hard way

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway