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

Neither Jović nor Eala has a sturdy serve, as is common among players their age, so quick points were few and far between.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Its full aluminum build is sturdy and lightweight enough to hold for a long time, and battery life is solid for how bright the screen is, clocking in at over six hours on a single charge in our testing.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of sturdy

Adjective

Of course, a yeast that can survive on Mars is … well, a yeast that can survive on Mars, which could actually risk contaminating the planet with hardy and fast-multiplying Earth microbes.

— Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Overall, top candidates for bare-root planting include deciduous fruit trees, roses, berry bushes, and hardy perennials, as these plants handle winter dormancy exceptionally well.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of hardy

Adjective

The latest forecast predicts the center will pass roughly 115 to 150 miles west of Kauai, close enough that any additional eastward shifts in the track could bring stronger winds and greater impacts, particularly to Kauai, the hurricane center said.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Design delivers low noise and vibration levels The new Elegance Pod is being developed with a strong focus on total system efficiency.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of strong

Adjective

Plus, its rugged IPX7 waterproof casing easily withstands rain, spills, and outdoor grime, while the 5,200mAh battery delivers a full 24 hours of non-stop playback.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
Great for more rugged adventures, like hiking through wet terrain or rainy days, the men’s Clifton 9 GTX is waterproof and features the brand’s comfortable Gore-Tex fit.

— Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of rugged

Adjective

Because of the heat wave's dramatic effect on everyday life, Paris became a tough place to walk around in the sunshine.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
But Chipotle has been in a tough spot since Niccol departed in 2024, and even as Boatwright’s plan shows signs of momentum (same-store sales have begun to tick back up again), there are open questions about Chipotle’s strategic direction.

— Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Amid statues and posters of the Virgen de Guadalupe was a rosary that a man had made of hardened bread during his months in an immigration detention facility.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
After spending 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread, Jean Valjean is being released a hardened man.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of hardened

Adjective

The Evans defense, which has been stout all season, forced a change of possession on five different Winter Park fourth-down plays inside the 20, as the Wildcats struggled in the red zone.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Webb figures he's got the best of both worlds, having his play-calling mentor by his side and squaring off against defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and Denver's stout defense all summer.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 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 19 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hard-bitten

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

aggrandize

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes