HARD-SHELLED Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

hard-shell

adjective

variants or hard-shelled

Definition of hard-shell

as in hard-line

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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 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 many bags share the same characteristics (think a black, medium-sized, hard-shell suitcase, for example), listing any unique attributes will help. — Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 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 The campaign provides a chance to dip cones for $1 charge in hard-shell coating flavors, such as chocolate, cherry, or butterscotch. — Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hard-shell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-shell

Adjective

Leadership is hoping that by dangling a fourth spending package, hard-line Republican holdouts will vote to advance the third reconciliation bill.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 21 July 2026
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, urged a hard-line response to the chavistas and argued that an intervention would serve America’s national-security interests.

— Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Definition of hard-line

Adjective

Kyle Clark, an anchorman on Denver’s 9News, asked the candidate in a persistent and revealing sit-down interview.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
The yen has lost 51% of its value against the dollar since 2012, as the central bank kept monetary policy loose to fight persistent deflation.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 19 July 2026

Definition of persistent

Adjective

In Elliott’s Connecticut, the governor would send a busload of stern but compassionate counselors to protect workers hiding in their office where a gunman lurks.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
Burnham brings a more relaxed style of leadership than the rather stern Starmer, and is regarded as one of the Labour Party’s best communicators.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026

Definition of stern

Adjective

Similarly, relying on a single, rigid path for payments is no longer enough, and alternative routes must be available.

— Moshe Kimhi, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
The ferry, Edghill said, was fitted with 250 life jackets, two rigid life rafts and six inflatable life rafts.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Definition of rigid

Adjective

Oseman has returned to the world of Heartstopper in multiple formats and across them all, there remains the same steadfast ethos of love.

— Barry Levitt, Time, 17 July 2026
But so far, the Dumb Blonde podcaster has remained steadfast in her public comments.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026

Definition of steadfast

Adjective

Even the relentless pursuit of Joao Felix across at least three windows underlines his willingness to sign players who have question marks against them.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
This Pulitzer-winning neo-slave narrative reimagines the Underground Railroad as a real subterranean network, in a Sisyphean allegory that illustrates the relentless metamorphoses of white supremacy and Black resistance.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 July 2026

Definition of relentless

Adjective

The severe physical limitations of those procedures required extensive medical care, leading her L7 bandmates to share a GoFundMe to cover Finch’s medical expenses and at-home care.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026
Diagnosed with Alzheimer's, severe dementia with agitation, depression, and anxiety, the woman was confused, had difficulty communicating her needs, and hit aides.

— Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026

Definition of severe

Browse Nearby Words

hardscrabble

hard-shell

hardship

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Style

“Hard-shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-shell. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hard-shell

adjective

Example Sentences

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