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

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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

Often grown as a companion plant for vegetables, borage (Borago officinalis) is a hardy annual with periwinkle blue flowers that attract pollinators and other beneficial insects.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2026
Common geraniums grow in USDA zones 9-12, but there are other varieties—like hardy geraniums—that can grow in zones 3-9 as well.

— The Spruce, The Spruce, 11 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

White, when give the chance, has displayed a diverse offensive game, a defensive bent and an ability to make tough shots.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
The stakes for new avatar don’t feel quite as high—the specific circumstances around the former was a perfect storm that'll be tough to duplicate—but the music isn’t any less potent for it.

— Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026

Definition of tough

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

Nolan advances his vision, however crowd-pleasing and anachronistic, with vigorous confidence and unimpeachable clarity.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
Especially in containers and hanging baskets, regular fertilizing is essential for keeping petunias blooming and vigorous all summer long.

— Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 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

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“Hard-bitten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-bitten. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hard-bitten

adjective

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