Synonyms of hard-pressed

hard-pressed

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈprest 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• perplexed
• baffled
• bewildered
• embarrassed
• nonplussed
• put to it
• confused
• flustered
• at a loss
• hard put
• confounded
• disconcerted
• fazed
• put out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undaunted
• composed
• unfazed
• untroubled

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hard-pressed

And public school districts would be hard-pressed to mandate a weeklong hike. — Anthony Depalma, Mercury News, 22 May 2026

Human beings, for all their engineering smarts, would be hard-pressed to invent something so simple and elegant and keenly imagined. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 19 May 2026

The six-time All-WNBA player and seven-time All-Star is still looking for her first championship in the league and may be hard-pressed to get it in the Windy City. — Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026

Commuters would be hard-pressed to miss the large structures already taking shape west of McDermott Road, which will one day carry traffic from highway to highway without stopping. — Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 24 Apr. 2026