1
as in hardship
something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal
the test questions were rated for hardness, a rating of five indicating the most difficult
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in severity
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism)
the aunt's hardness gradually crumbled under the influence of the little orphan's endearing ways
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hardness
The hardness enables the blades to be sharpened at a much steeper angle than Western knives.
—
Akiko Katayama, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Barnaby is working with a team on improving radiation hardness in FinFETs.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Oct. 2024
The severity of water spots varies depending on your local water hardness.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2025
The hardness of seats, even those that recline flat into a bed, is a common pain point for many customers on long-haul flights.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Akiko Katayama, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Barnaby is working with a team on improving radiation hardness in FinFETs.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Oct. 2024
The severity of water spots varies depending on your local water hardness.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2025
The hardness of seats, even those that recline flat into a bed, is a common pain point for many customers on long-haul flights.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardness
Noun
-
This work is also a tribute to the rich and inspiring story of the Black church in America—a story laden with hope and hardship.—
AudioFile Magazine
July 31,
Literary Hub,
31 July 2025
-
Thrift stores offer affordable options for consumers, especially during economic hardship, and contribute to community support through donations and job creation.—
Molly Gregory,
The Courier-Journal,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
While relapse of multiple myeloma is regarded as inevitable, the timing and severity vary widely.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
14 July 2025
-
But in the meantime, relatives could only guess the severity of the injury by observing the facial expressions of Nuggets personnel.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
Asked about the issue, administrators cited budget constraints and a difficulty hiring teachers.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
31 July 2025
-
Some may experience delays in language development, while others may have difficulty using language to communicate, even if their language skills are developed.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardness. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share