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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hard-pressed
The slate of features caters to a broad spectrum of luxury travelers who will be hard-pressed to find a bigger and better beach at any price point in The Hamptons.
—
Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
On rainy days when people would stay in the building for lunch, one was hard-pressed to find a free seat in the cafeteria.
—Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Stories that, even at the age of six, Jena was hard-pressed to believe.
—Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
Ehlinger, though, might be hard-pressed for a roster spot after an uneven start to camp.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
On rainy days when people would stay in the building for lunch, one was hard-pressed to find a free seat in the cafeteria.
—Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Stories that, even at the age of six, Jena was hard-pressed to believe.
—Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
Ehlinger, though, might be hard-pressed for a roster spot after an uneven start to camp.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-pressed
Adjective
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Another surprise that has long perplexed researchers is those algorithms’ knack for their own, strange kind of creativity.—
Webb Wright,
Wired News,
24 Aug. 2025
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The exhibition matchup is already creating controversy and has some perplexed, given both fighters were headed down very different paths.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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
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And my parents are even baffled.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Everybody seems bewildered by this news, his own wife most of all.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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Layered in cream, bruised, bewildered, bald.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And none of those figures includes losses victims were too embarrassed to report.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, the Dolphins were embarrassed in Indy, and Anthony Weaver’s defense — fourth-best in the league in yards allowed in 2024 — was an absolute no-show.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-pressed. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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