as in poor
lacking money or material possessions
despite being undeniably hard up, they had too much pride to accept charity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 up
Over the last two seasons, he’s figured out how to throw the ball hard up to left-handed hitters for weak contact and to their back foot for swing-and-miss.
—
Tim Britton, The Athletic, 13 Aug. 2024
However, the typical Planet Organic shopper isn’t likely to be that hard up.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 22 July 2024
They’ve been hit particularly hard up front on offense and need youth.
—Brad Biggs, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2024
Cleveland Browns Stadium, hard up against the Science Center lawn, was plunged into darkness.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hard up
Tim Britton, The Athletic, 13 Aug. 2024
However, the typical Planet Organic shopper isn’t likely to be that hard up.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 22 July 2024
They’ve been hit particularly hard up front on offense and need youth.
—Brad Biggs, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2024
Cleveland Browns Stadium, hard up against the Science Center lawn, was plunged into darkness.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hard up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard up
Adjective
-
Cutting carbs entirely can raise the risk of cholesterol, kidney stones, poor bone health, gut problems, and even cancer, added Stefanki.—
Caitlin Pagán,
Verywell Health,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Before Wednesday’s game, people within the organization were optimistic about Helsley putting his tipping problem and overall poor pitching behind him, pointing to a clean inning Monday.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The walk is presided over by its creator, a mysterious authoritarian figure known as the Major (Mark Hamill) who extolls the sadistic contest as a boon for the spirits of the impoverished American people.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Probably the one that’s best known is the one about how Philomelus, a young, impoverished farmer and herdsman, struggled to push his plow through his fields.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Reunion shows often have a vital, go-for-broke spirit, and this movie does too, in the sweetest possible way.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
-
So to invest in a broke company is beyond me.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard%20up. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share