HARD-HANDED Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

hardhanded

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈhan-dəd

Definition of hardhanded

as in tough

difficult to endure the hardhanded rule of a tyrannical regime

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardhanded

Adjective

North of the Thai capital Bangkok, rice farmers like 55-year-old Boonmark Marksuuk are already facing tough choices.

— EDNA TARIGAN, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
Zahnd, first elected in 2002, had a career defined by high-profile cases and solidified Platte County’s tough-on-crime reputation.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

This has been complicated further by the Iran war energy shock which is a harsh wake-up call for Southeast Asia.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Even when used on its own, bleach is incredibly harsh and can strip your floors’ finish, leaving it vulnerable to damage, discoloration, and dullness over time.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

Upstairs, on the top floor, the bar serves vintage hard-to-get champagne and spirits by the glass.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
When transitioning from hard flooring to rugs or carpets, the system automatically adjusts suction levels and modifies its brush roll behavior to maximize particle pickup while preventing hair entanglements around the main rollers.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of hard

Adjective

Kristi Noem bags a massive elk It's been a rough year for ol' Kristi Noem.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Just in case that gets rough, there’s an EMT in every ceremony, along with two security people, as well as three nurses and one doctor on site at all times.

— Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of rough

Adjective

The investigation into Toro follows a complaint from Bigelow that alleges the workplace culture under Toro’s leadership is characterized as oppressive, bullying and fearful, according to the complaint.

— Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026
In its opening episodes, the series carefully distinguishes Lizzie from her male killer counterparts while highlighting the oppressive conditions women faced in the era.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of oppressive

Adjective

Either way, a spot in the round of 32 would be a just reward for a team that is unbeaten two games into what has been an extremely trying tournament off the field.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
More than half of the search-and-rescue workers who show up for the most trying missions are BUSARs.

— Paige Williams, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026

Definition of trying

Adjective

The Process There are plenty of valid fears that come with going gray and the long, often brutal grow-out process is just one of them.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Sep. 2026
New Yorkers are in for a brutal weekend filled with heavy rainfall and intense winds as a powerful early-season nor’easter threatens to wallop much of the East Coast.

— Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of brutal

Adjective

Carriers will often cancel a chunk, if not most of their schedules, during severe winter storms or hurricanes to ensure planes, passengers and crews aren’t out of place, but airlines are still assessing the nor’easter’s potential path and impact.

— Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
With severe weather forecast for Boston, where the Cubs are slated to play three games crucial to the National League playoff seeding, Major League Baseball is looking at several scenarios to make sure the games get played.

— Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of severe

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.

Browse Nearby Words

hard goods

hardhanded

hardhandedness

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“Hardhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardhanded. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hardhanded

adjective

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