as in perplexed
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do
they will be hard-pressed to come up with any facts that actually support their argument
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Recent Examples of hard-pressed
The same goes for the highway—in fact, potential customers would be hard-pressed to find better in this department for the price offered.
—
Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Midcentury-modern enthusiasts would be hard-pressed to find a more exemplary estate than this one in L.A.’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which actually combines two stalwarts of the time period, visionary architect Richard Neutra and the influential Case Study Houses program.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2025
If this were to happen, Congress would be hard-pressed to write a new statute that creates pre-termination hearings or otherwise seeks to limit the power of the president that would satisfy the court’s aggressive support for presidential removals.
—James B. Speta, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Despite their numbers, Wolverines fans will be hard-pressed to top Ohio State fans’ takeover of Wrigleyville last year.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Midcentury-modern enthusiasts would be hard-pressed to find a more exemplary estate than this one in L.A.’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which actually combines two stalwarts of the time period, visionary architect Richard Neutra and the influential Case Study Houses program.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2025
If this were to happen, Congress would be hard-pressed to write a new statute that creates pre-termination hearings or otherwise seeks to limit the power of the president that would satisfy the court’s aggressive support for presidential removals.
—James B. Speta, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Despite their numbers, Wolverines fans will be hard-pressed to top Ohio State fans’ takeover of Wrigleyville last year.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-pressed
Adjective
-
Executives will hope that their courtship with Sky can turn into an enduring union, even if the takeover bid has left some perplexed.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Even the photographer seemed perplexed by some of these costumes.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Looking aghast, Kylie couldn’t help but go silent with a baffled expression for several seconds.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
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Thousands of commenters responded with laughter, surprise, and sympathy for the dog’s baffled expression.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Sholder appeared in the documentary and seemed more bewildered about all of this than anything else.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
31 Oct. 2025
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The canine, clearly confused, stared up, visibly bewildered and waiting patiently for the affection to finally land.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Farhood enrolled at a local community college and worked multiple serving jobs, playing around with makeup and sharing images of just her eyes to a personal Instagram account — too embarrassed that her friends might find out about her hobby.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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But after his team was embarrassed in Ottawa, Sturm had a good feeling about is players.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-pressed. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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