HARD-SHELL Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

hard-shell

adjective

variants or hard-shelled

Definition of hard-shell

as in hard-line

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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-shell The hard-shell design helps protect belongings while remaining comfortable to carry and maneuver. — New Atlas, 22 June 2026 There are thousands of Amazon Prime Day travel deals worth checking out today, with popular shoes, hard-shell luggage, and electronics up to 60% off. — Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026 Modern restaurant menus, with the familiar enchiladas and tamales and hard-shell tacos, can resemble Tex-Mex, but never say that to a New Mexican local. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026 Since the seeds are hard-shelled, germination often requires scarification, that is, weakening of the seeds’ coats by an exterior force in order to encourage water absorption. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hard-shell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-shell

Adjective

Political adviser Esteban Gerbasi warned that the administration’s engagement with Cabello could erode support among Latino voters who have backed Republican candidates largely because of their hard-line stance against the Venezuelan government.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Even the hard-line Ecologists party is coming around to the fact that AC is now a necessity, with the party’s head, Marine Tondelier, saying hospitals and schools should be equipped with cooling systems.

— Jessica Roy, Curbed, 29 June 2026

Definition of hard-line

Adjective

In his inital letter, Lehmkuhl agreed that there is an urgent need to clear debris and address the persistent odor of millions of pounds of rotting food at the site.

— Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Though effective medication exists, the issue is persistent in areas with a lack of easy access to testing, treatment and clean water so people don't rely on local bodies of water for drinking and bathing.

— William McCarthy, NPR, 4 July 2026

Definition of persistent

Adjective

And, despite the disadvantage—or perhaps because of it—the tenacious midfielders kept up pressure on the other end whenever possible.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
His combination of sharpshooting and tenacious defense, exemplified by key plays like drawing a charging foul in the Eastern Conference Finals, proved invaluable.

— Tom Rende, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of tenacious

Adjective

What this recent research on podcast discovery by Sounds Profitable / JAR Research punctuates is that the avenues of finding new podcasts aren’t formalized and rigid, but dependent on age, income, background, and lifestyle.

— Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Sometimes the eyes are the only thing that changes between spreads, a technique that is especially effective when the characters are rigid reptiles with a limited range of motion.

— Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026

Definition of rigid

Adjective

To his supporters, Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the steadfast, fearless leader who transcended mere politics and inspired devotion.

— Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Each project generated steadfast opposition from the city's neighborhoods, calling into question how the city should regulate the advanced technology centers.

— Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026

Definition of steadfast

Adjective

The timing of the recording reflects a band whose relentless touring had sharpened both its confidence and its new material.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 8 July 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers, renowned for their relentless pursuit of championships, faced intense trade speculation last year concerning third baseman Max Muncy.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of relentless

Adjective

Ruffian, racing on the lead, sustains a severe leg injury and is pulled up by jockey Jacinto Vasquez.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
The incident occurred on Sunday, July 5, near the front entrance of the Austell theme park after severe weather hit the area, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

— Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

Definition of severe

Browse Nearby Words

hardscrabble

hard-shell

hardship

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hard-shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-shell. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hard-shell

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

effulgence

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes