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
  • Denim is a sturdy cotton textile that is woven in a twill pattern, creating a distinctive diagonal rib on the fabric’s surface.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Carrying a large pump spray bottle and a small, sturdy brush, Caitlin Abrams stood before two starkly contrasting graves in a modest cemetery in western Vermont.
    — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • Obsession™ Nandina is winter hardy in containers through USDA Zone 8.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Trees, shrubs and hardy perennials, however, can generally withstand the cold.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of hardy
Adjective
  • Policymakers recognized that American companies needed a stronger reason to invest in innovation.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Meta Platforms, which is pushing its Muse AI agent, lost 7% after reporting stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit fell short.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • Their rugged shape acts as a welcome counterpoint, toughening up outfits with a particular cool girl edge.
    — Nuria Luis, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The headline addition is an external lens attachment that extends the camera's optical reach far beyond what standard rugged handsets offer.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of rugged
Adjective
  • The case has led to calls for tougher oversight of churches and other religious organizations in a country where religious faith plays a prominent role in public life.
    — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Thermal equilibrium might sound like a tough concept, but hundreds of systems reach them around us on a daily basis.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • O’Brien’s Ted Keegan is a father, farmer and military veteran — a hardened man who’s spent much of his life following orders and keeping secrets.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • And yet, for a millennia after the fall of Rome, the world largely forgot about concrete, until, in the 18th century, an English mason found that mixing limestone and clay could form a paste that hardened underwater.
    — Sara Herschander, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of hardened
Adjective
  • Federal physical activity guidelines recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening exercise on at least two days.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The society recommends 150 to 300 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous exercise each week, with 300 minutes being ideal.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of vigorous
Adjective
  • Phillips has also been stout against the run and a vocal leader his teammates praise.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Tennessee relied on a stout defense and the steady play of quarterback George MacIntyre to win their third straight game.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 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 25 Oct. 2026.

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