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
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Advertisement Other countries are learning this lesson the hard way.
—
Stephanie Psaki, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
And alas, a number of Americans are learning the hard way that sunshine and mid-fifties in the high country can quickly become a life-and-death situation.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
Many travelers have learned this lesson the hard way.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
The Eagles learned the hard way with Rodgers.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
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Stephanie Psaki, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
And alas, a number of Americans are learning the hard way that sunshine and mid-fifties in the high country can quickly become a life-and-death situation.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
Many travelers have learned this lesson the hard way.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
The Eagles learned the hard way with Rodgers.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the hard way
Cite this Entry
“The hard way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20hard%20way. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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