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
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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
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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The shearling is still fluffy, and the soles are sturdy.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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When temperatures drop well below 0, less cold-hardy azaleas could be killed back to the ground.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
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The storm hardy island could feel some of the storm’s outer bands, and officials have issued a hurricane warning for the island.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Smith said Thursday in a news release that Stubblefield leaves behind a legacy of strong, principled leadership.—
Ella McCarthy,
Arkansas Online,
31 Oct. 2025
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Toklas went on to fiercely uphold the author’s legacy, honoring Stein’s apparent desire to be understood while at the same time respecting her equally strong wish to remain elusive.—
Daphne Merkin,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Trail Running Shoes While most hiking shoes have a more rugged, utilitarian look, these Hoka hikers lend more towards stylish.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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Hokkaido is known for its rugged natural beauty, cold winters and thriving agricultural and seafood industries.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Whether or not Takaichi's administration is as tough on immigration issues as her campaign rhetoric suggests, some observers warn that failing to actively invest in and integrate foreign nationals into society will have lasting harm on Asia’s second-largest economy.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Without a consolidation of that vote in the final stretch, Mamdani appears tough to beat.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Against armored targets, the outer jacket is stripped away upon impact, allowing the hardened steel core to penetrate alone.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
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The extruder gears and rods are made from hardened steel, which resists wear.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The above endorsement of potentially beneficial effects associated with weekend exercise is good news for busy folks who can cram the minimal weekly recommendation of 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, or 150 minutes of moderate exercise into two consecutive days.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Oct. 2025
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The movie, at its most vigorous and most menacing, is also illuminated with mystery and wonder.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The back end of the bullpen is stout, yet the lineup is dreadfully short.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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Collins has been one of the more stout edge defenders in his five years in the league, and the Cowboys could desperately use a savvy veteran run defender to contain the edge.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-bitten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-bitten. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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