as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
a hard-bitten Apache chief who could endure the scorching heat of the Arizona desert
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-bitten
Her hard-bitten, cynical persona provides a nice juxtaposition to how maudlin so much commentary about motherhood can be.
—
Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
But the sentiments are the razors in the apples: hard-bitten, painful, wise from disappointment, and braced for the next crisis.
—Spin Team, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024
Alaska has devolved into a colony of big oil, and its politics have become so closed, hard-bitten, and strident.
—Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2015
Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
But the sentiments are the razors in the apples: hard-bitten, painful, wise from disappointment, and braced for the next crisis.
—Spin Team, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024
Alaska has devolved into a colony of big oil, and its politics have become so closed, hard-bitten, and strident.
—Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-bitten
Adjective
-
If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Cold-hardy varieties may tolerate cold, but that doesn’t mean planting them just ahead of cold weather is ideal.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Oct. 2025
-
So, the minute the leaves start to drop, take it as your sign to tap into the harvest and dress your backyard or porch with stylish pumpkin decor and seasonal window boxes filled with hardy flowers.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Summit kept up the strong play as its defense forced and recovered a fumble from Dallas Simmons.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Even the lodging here leans into the rugged setting.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Hikes See Canyon Trail – Hikers can choose gentle or rugged when exploring See Canyon.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The end result of a tough negotiation that included a nearly two-week blackout of Disney channels on Charter in 2023 was a much closer working relationship between the two.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Just a week after giving birth, Menish took her six-hour Evidence exam from home in December 2023 — one of the toughest finals in the curriculum.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Non-kinetic defenses (like jamming or hacking drones) don’t always work, especially against autonomous or hardened systems.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Sullivan, the drill instructor whose hardened exterior conceals his own private battles.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Add stock and bring to a vigorous simmer over medium-high.—
Elizabeth Mervosh,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The participants completed at least two daily exercise snacks (defined as moderate-vigorous to near-maximal physical activity for five minutes or less), three times a week or more, over a period of 4 to 12 weeks.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Chiefs grew more stout as the game progressed and held the Lions to 98 rushing yards by night’s end.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
-
That toughness, determination and preparation paid off against a stout Sooners defense.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-bitten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-bitten. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share