Synonyms of hard
-
as in difficult
-
as in ruthless
-
as in sturdy
-
as in reasonable
-
as in tough
-
as in intense
-
as in strict
-
as in solid
-
as in stable
-
as in sore
-
as in stubborn
-
as in historical
-
as in intensively
-
as in bitterly
-
as in strongly
-
as in close
-
as in harshly
-
Synonym Chooser
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
-
Related Articles
1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
clearing land is hard work a hard exam to pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
a hard man, who never had a kind word for anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
they were forced to import sheep of a harder stock, one that could thrive in the harsh climate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in reasonable
based on sound reasoning or information
do you have any hard evidence that this was once the site of a Native American village?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in tough
difficult to endure
the hard life of a migrant farm worker
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
a carpet that withstood years of hard wear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
a hard disciplinarian who is quick to punish the tiniest violation of the rules
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in solid
having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure
hard candies fell on the hard floor and bruised her arm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in stable
having been established and usually not subject to change
there isn't always a hard line between right and wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in sore
having or showing deep-seated resentment
maintained hard feelings toward those who had cheated him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
a woman with a hard will who never budged from her chosen path
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in historical
restricted to or based on fact
that newscast is strictly devoted to hard news, as the producers prefer to leave the gossip to others
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in intensively
with great effort or determination
we took a much-needed break after working hard all week a hard-won victory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bitterly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
took the news of their grandfather's death hard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in strongly
in a vigorous and forceful manner
hit the ball hard, causing it to soar out of bounds the wind blew hard all day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in close
at, within, or to a short distance or time
the groom stood hard by, ready to help, as the lady mounted the skittish horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in harshly
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering
the dog had been treated hard by his previous owner
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 hard
Ari Daniel, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
The Giant Octopus Had Jaws Built to Crush The giant octopus fossil evidence comes from beaks — the only hard part of an octopus’s body that can fossilize.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
The coach also did not come down hard on wideout Malik Nabers at all for his Night 1 criticism of the Giants’ draft decisions.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard
Adjective
Fossils usually form from bones and other hard materials.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
The Giant Octopus Had Jaws Built to Crush The giant octopus fossil evidence comes from beaks — the only hard part of an octopus’s body that can fossilize.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Would journalists walk out if his comments hit too hard?
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
The coach also did not come down hard on wideout Malik Nabers at all for his Night 1 criticism of the Giants’ draft decisions.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard
Adjective
-
Putting in the new chip was more difficult.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The rest will be more difficult.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Social media users on Twitter, now known as X, were absolutely ruthless with Beltrán at the time.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Director Nick Castle’s 1984 sci-fi adventure of a trailer park kid recruited to join an interstellar war against Xur and the ruthless Ko-Dan Armada is still a fantastic flick over 40 years after its original theatrical release.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The team-captain label and All-American honors help, but the real selling points are Schrauth’s sturdy frame, strong hands and a physical style that works in tight quarters.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In an untitled work from 1995, a cluster of sturdy wagons sits at the edge of a frozen lake, a site where her family of peripatetic horse traders often camped.—
Ben Davis,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With a reasonable chance that both sides win all their remaining games, the size of each victory matters.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Although executors may be paid reasonable compensation—often up to 5% of the estate’s value—you aren’t required to accept the role.—
Nancy Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That's a tough ask given that this isn't the first time the network's credibility has come into question.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Another tough one, all having to do with writer friends and boundaries (or the lack thereof).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The area that would bear the president’s name has been subject to some of the most intense fighting of the modern age, with tens of thousands of Ukrainian and Russian troops killed in the Donbas over the past few years.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Apr. 2026
-
What keeps it from feeling too intense or drying for combination skin is the cushion of tea tree leaf water, which helps calm inflammation.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The government, which is mediating the negotiations, has already imposed a strict security bubble ready for the arrival of Vice President JD Vance and the Iranian delegation.—
Will Clark,
NBC news,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Donation is only considered after every life-saving effort has been exhausted and death has been declared according to strict medical and ethical standards.—
Dr. Hiroshi Sogawa,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Shampoo Bars last at least 80 washes, equivalent to three bottles of liquid shampoo, while the Conditioner Bars last at least 120 washes -- one solid shampoo and conditioner set equals eight liquid bottles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
That would suggest a summit filled more with ceremony than substance, delivering solid if unspectacular outcomes.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
