hard-bitten

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈbi-tᵊn How to pronounce hard-bitten (audio)
Definition of hard-bittennext
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

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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
  1. sturdy
  2. hardy
  3. strong
  4. rugged
  5. tough
  6. hardened
  7. vigorous
  8. stout
Adjective
  • The outdoorsy traveler hiking the gorges in Crete or the trails in Andros should bring a pair of sturdy shoes, a hat for sun protection, and tons of SPF.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 27 July 2026
  • December 22 – January 19 A home or family issue may need a sturdier foundation, not another temporary fix.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 26 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
  • This is a strong day to pitch, perform, flirt, draft, or share something that feels alive.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026
  • While heavy foreign equity selling earlier this year weighed on the won, Goldman said those outflows have slowed, allowing the currency's strong external fundamentals to reassert themselves.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 July 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • Commercials showed off sleek and imposing vehicles with four-wheel drive going off-roading through rugged terrain, adding some aspiration to a Tuesday night baseball practice pick-up .
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
  • With the pole still lodged in his body, Cifaldi and his friends began the more than 10-mile trek back down the mountain, navigating rugged terrain including snowfields and boulder fields.
    — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
Definition of rugged
Adjective
  • There were tough conversations between Naylor and Cleveland’s coaches and front office.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Villegas, after a tough primary election battle against Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, has roughly $572,000.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • Some years later John emerges, hardened and singularly focused on revenge.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
  • Graham's kind is the common one, driven by age, blood pressure, and hardened arteries.
    — Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 13 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
  • The result is a bulbous body atop four skinny legs, scraggly fur and a stout head with little to no neck.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 21 July 2026
  • De la Fuente wisely shifted to a more tiki-taka-esque focus with a stout defense moving forward and hoped that his wingers would get healthy as the tournament progressed.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of stout

Browse Nearby Words

hardbacks
hard-bitten
hard-boiled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hard-bitten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-bitten. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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