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adverb

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hard work
arduous work
tough work
hard feelings
bitter feelings
hurtful feelings
hateful feelings
hostile feelings
strained feelings
a hard surface
a solid surface
a firm surface
a stiff surface
a durable surface
a tough surface
a hard time
a tough time
a difficult time
a rough time
a grueling time
an arduous time
hard choices
tough choices
difficult choices
complicated choices
impossible choices
daunting choices

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hard different from other adjectives like it?

The words arduous and difficult are common synonyms of hard. While all three words mean "demanding great exertion or effort," hard implies the opposite of all that is easy.

farming is hard work

In what contexts can arduous take the place of hard?

In some situations, the words arduous and hard are roughly equivalent. However, arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion.

the arduous task of rebuilding

When would difficult be a good substitute for hard?

The words difficult and hard can be used in similar contexts, but difficult implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill or courage.

the difficult ascent of the mountain

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 hard
Adjective
But unlike climate change, turning it around doesn’t have to be that hard, and the benefits will be felt immediately. WIRED, 13 Feb. 2023 That die-hard fan base in Phoenix got a taste of glory in 2021 when the Suns were up two games to none in the Finals on the Milwaukee Bucks before dropping the next four and ultimately losing the championship series. Max Olsan, The Arizona Republic, 13 Feb. 2023
Adverb
However, some auto manufacturers are working hard to reduce the carbon footprint of their vehicles. Carlton Reid, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Fair housing means fair rules, in which tenants who work hard, play by the rules and pay on time don’t bear the financial burden of those who fail to do so. Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for hard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard
Adjective
  • As with everything Banksy, siting and context are chief among the avenues of investigation into the man’s intent and into his his hilariously ruthless nocturnal execution of his art.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • The ruthless, physical Panthers will get a strong Oilers squad, with Ekholm back on the back end, Skinner emphatically taking back his net from Calvin Pickard, and both McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on top of their games.
    Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • But the fact that Schwartzman, in his first film, was given the difficult task of stealing laughs away from a comedy legend, and so often succeeds in doing so, gives him the slight edge.
    Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
  • These connections are difficult to make from within, but consultants are trained to see across boundaries.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • It’s got all the gaming-friendly extras; HDR support, DP 1.4, HDMI, and a metal stand that actually feels sturdy for once.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 May 2025
  • The straps are made from a sturdy synthetic leather alternative that holds its shape more than other softer materials, but the interior of the straps and insoles are still lined with a light suede that’s gentle on the skin and comfy for full-day wear.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Under coach Manolo González, Espanyol has just placed a reasonable 14th in La Liga.
    Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • The prices for food are also pretty reasonable, Ksebati says.
    Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Coastal trips After previously demonstrating that Viking vessels can handle open oceanic waters even in tough conditions, Jarrett was determined to explore their capabilities close to land and among the fjords.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
  • Being a careless jackass but also irresistibly charming is a tough needle to thread.
    Staff Author Published, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • But Tranter and Bartlett said Trump may settle roughly into this range of having an approval rating between 43 percent and 47 percent given the intense polarization of the country, as has been common in the past couple administrations.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 31 May 2025
  • Residents of Maoming, China were treated to a celestial light show earlier this week when a surprise fireball burst to life overhead, illuminating the city before disappearing in an intense flare of light.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Under the measure's broad scope and strict distance limits, few areas in Ohio would remain open to such purchases.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
  • Florida also has one of the strictest building code’s in the country.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • These dildos were solid and made to sit above the pubic bone, custom made to measurements provided by purchasers, who were often men.
    Mikelle Street, Them., 23 May 2025
  • Per Deadline Hollywood, which first reported the cancellation, viewership for season 3 was still solid but the show slipped out of Nielsen's Top 10 Originals chart quicker than its predecessors, and the decision to cancel ultimately came down to the show's hefty price tag.
    EW.com, EW.com, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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