HARD-PRESSED Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

hard-pressed

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈprest

Definition of hard-pressed

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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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.

Recent Examples of hard-pressed Dominant streaming platform Netflix reports earnings after the bell on Thursday, and analysts are sounding hard-pressed to find a meaningful driver for the stock. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 15 July 2026 In heat waves, Aid stations could be hard-pressed to manage everyone affected. — Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026 People are genuinely feeling hard-pressed. — Mishal Husain, Bloomberg, 22 May 2026 And public school districts would be hard-pressed to mandate a weeklong hike. — Anthony Depalma, Mercury News, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-pressed

Adjective

View this post on Instagram Many commenters were perplexed to see new content from Hilton’s account pop up.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
Guides for the aesthetically perplexed have lost their meaning.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of perplexed

Adjective

The internet is full of photos of 841 munching on purloined surfboards and then sitting on top of them, snarling at baffled young men in wet suits who try, and then think better of, fighting her for their property.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
What baffled Russell was the difference in straight-line speed.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of baffled

Adjective

When kids first got online, parents were bewildered and alarmed, but kids, who tend to gravitate to new technology, found freedom in a space that was basically ungoverned.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
That bewildered shake of the head after Meyer's pitch in that video is not a rare occurrence for Raleigh this year.

— Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of bewildered

Browse Nearby Words

hardnoses

hard-pressed

hard put

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“Hard-pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-pressed. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hard-pressed

adjective

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