Synonyms of hard
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as in difficult
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as in ruthless
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as in sturdy
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as in reasonable
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as in tough
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as in intense
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as in strict
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as in solid
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as in stable
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as in sore
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as in stubborn
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as in historical
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as in intensively
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as in bitterly
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as in strongly
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as in close
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as in harshly
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1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
clearing land is hard work a hard exam to pass
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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
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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
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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?
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5
as in tough
difficult to endure
the hard life of a migrant farm worker
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6
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
a carpet that withstood years of hard wear
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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
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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
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as in stable
having been established and usually not subject to change
there isn't always a hard line between right and wrong
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10
as in sore
having or showing deep-seated resentment
maintained hard feelings toward those who had cheated him
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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
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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
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1
as in intensively
with great effort or determination
we took a much-needed break after working hard all week a hard-won victory
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2
as in bitterly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
took the news of their grandfather's death hard
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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
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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
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5
as in harshly
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering
the dog had been treated hard by his previous owner
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hard
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
26 June 2026
The children of storekeepers, who’d meet up during the day while their parents were hard at work.
—
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Misery has been abundant across La Guaira, among the areas hardest hit by the devastating earthquakes.
—
ABC News,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard
Adjective
Craving a sweet juicy Georgia peach grown on a farm, but the choices in some stores might be still hard as a rock?
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Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
26 June 2026
The children of storekeepers, who’d meet up during the day while their parents were hard at work.
—
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
Adverb
While Android consumers can make a lateral move to another manufacturer with similar specs but more attractive pricing, Apple’s software lock-in with iOS and iCloud makes that much harder.
—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Misery has been abundant across La Guaira, among the areas hardest hit by the devastating earthquakes.
—
ABC News,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard
Adjective
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Aviation experts said those conditions would have been difficult to navigate that evening when the helicopter, a Robinson R66, crashed in the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area.
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But traffic on the waterway remains a fraction of pre-war levels with different authorities vying to organize the transit of vessels, leaving operators with a difficult choice over which path to take.
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Canadian quartet Truck Violence have been sloshing together these subgenres in a ruthless manner for several years now, and their sophomore album and debut for the Flenser aims for even higher drops between those peaks and valleys.
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There was relative peace for 11 years, until a second civil war erupted in 1983, when leaders in Khartoum imposed sharia (Islamic) law and accelerated repression of the southern Christian rebels, which ultimately allowed a ruthless military officer, Omar al-Bashir, to come to power in 1989.
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
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While linen and silk are light and airy, some occasions call for a sturdier yet equally breathable option.
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To prove religious discrimination in the workplace, a party needs to prove disparate treatment or that the employer failed to make reasonable accommodations for someone trying to practice their religious beliefs.
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Use earphones for music and movies and keep conversations at a reasonable volume.
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Summer 2026 is having a tough time deciding on this season’s dominating nail trend.
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These are typically low-wage jobs that the healthcare industry writ large has had a tough time recruiting for since the pandemic.
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Katherine Guaramaco described the experience as one of the most intense of her life.
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The president highlighted the military operation in Iran that has proven deeply unpopular, and an immigration agenda that has provoked intense backlash.
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Under the law, California is able to set these stricter standards through a waiver from the EPA.
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And extreme sports accidents renew calls for stricter regulations.
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Affordable July 4 destinations July 4 may be a peak travel period, but travelers can still snag some solid deals for a beach vacation.
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Plenty of the group stage games have gone 0-0 before players returned to the locker room, but at least solid chances have been created.
Cite this Entry
“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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