HARD-BITTEN Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

hard-bitten

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈbi-tᵊn

Definition of hard-bitten

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 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

Made from rust-resistant, double-layered aluminum, the table feels light enough to move around, but also sturdy enough not to blow over in a storm.

— Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 19 July 2026
Odysseus also prided himself on being the only person able to string his sturdy bow.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026

Definition of sturdy

Adjective

The trip can be done in a car, RV, or motorcycle; hardy bicyclists even complete the route on two wheels.

— Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026
Now the economy consists of a bit of hunting and bird-watching that lures a few hardy tourists aboard the two flights a week that serve the island.

— Kyle Hopkins, ProPublica, 20 July 2026

Definition of hardy

Adjective

After a strong start to the tournament, the reigning champions teetered on the brink of elimination throughout the knockout stage, trailing Egypt and England until the closing stages, needing extra time to overcome Cape Verde and Switzerland.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 July 2026
The incoming prime minister grew up in the northwest of England, a part of the country where the Catholic Church has traditionally had a strong presence, and his outlook has been shaped by Catholic teaching.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of strong

Adjective

Damon is rugged and haunting in this absolute star turn as Odysseus, who, in a departure from the wilier original, is written as a true-hearted hero whose primary flaw was his unwavering loyalty to his men and his family.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Authorities say the incident unfolded Thursday afternoon near Gumboot Lake in Siskiyou County, a rugged forested area west of Interstate 5 and near the Oregon border.

— David Benda, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Definition of rugged

Adjective

Graham's kind is the common one, driven by age, blood pressure, and hardened arteries.

— Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 13 July 2026
If your engine still has original, non-hardened valve seats and is driven under load or at highway speeds, using a lead substitute additive can help reduce valve seat wear.

— John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026

Definition of hardened

Adjective

Since the sugar is not normally found in blood, some people’s immune systems recognize it as foreign and mount a vigorous defense to eliminate it by producing antibodies to alpha gal.

— Alice Park, Time, 23 July 2026
The Harvard Health guidance is specific — avoid vigorous activity in the hour before bed.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Definition of vigorous

Adjective

In this tournament, Morocco has tried to develop from the 2022 team, which relied on stout defense, into one that can outplay more teams.

— Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 9 July 2026
La Albiceleste created more chances but could not get past the viral sensation in net or the stout Cape Verdean defense before the halftime whistle blew.

— Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Definition of stout

Browse Nearby Words

hardbacks

hard-bitten

hard-boiled

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hard-bitten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-bitten. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hard-bitten

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

aerie

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes