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
Ilonka Molijn van Ginkel, a travel advisor, learned the hard way at Heathrow to scan the QR code at the lounge door immediately.
—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Without answers, companies may find out the hard way that organizational readiness is as important as the tech itself.
—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Oddsmakers have evolved over the years with NBA Free Agency after essentially learning the hard way.
—
Doug Kezirian,
New York Times,
30 June 2026
Raya arrived a year into the pandemic and learned the hard way that life is a constant, unpredictable challenge.
—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for the hard way
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Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Without answers, companies may find out the hard way that organizational readiness is as important as the tech itself.
—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Oddsmakers have evolved over the years with NBA Free Agency after essentially learning the hard way.
—
Doug Kezirian,
New York Times,
30 June 2026
Raya arrived a year into the pandemic and learned the hard way that life is a constant, unpredictable challenge.
—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 June 2026
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 7 Jul. 2026.
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