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
Partner would be hard-pressed to find a bid at the five-level, so double covers many hands.
—
Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2025
If this becomes an annual event, the Chiefs and Battle Sports would be hard-pressed to find a better school to kick it off than Nebraska.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 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
Stories that, even at the age of six, Jena was hard-pressed to believe.
—Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2025
If this becomes an annual event, the Chiefs and Battle Sports would be hard-pressed to find a better school to kick it off than Nebraska.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 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
Stories that, even at the age of six, Jena was hard-pressed to believe.
—Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-pressed
Adjective
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Harper, in particular, looked perplexed against the hard-throwing righty.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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The video, which captures Chester’s perplexed stare at the multilevel structure, was shared by his owners, Karys and Max.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Despite Banks’ enthusiasm, commenters were left baffled.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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The clear stance that the club has spent every available penny of their PSR allowance left many baffled, but the club’s accounts over the coming years will reveal all.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As Friday’s stabbing incident involving NFL alum Mark Sanchez slowly comes into focus, the team at Fox Sports seems to be just as bewildered as the rest of us.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
5 Oct. 2025
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Hair disheveled, a dazed and bewildered look in his eyes, the coach trudged into his own dressing room to regroup and get a rundown of a growing list of injuries.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Victims feel embarrassed, ashamed or afraid to admit they were fooled.—
Summer Stephan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
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Worthington felt embarrassed and confused as his ultimate boss left him to it.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-pressed. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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