Synonyms of hard
-
as in ruthless 
-
as in difficult
-
as in sturdy
-
as in reasonable
-
as in tough
-
as in intense
-
as in strict
-
as in solid
-
as in stable
-
as in sore
-
as in stubborn
-
as in historical
-
as in intensively
-
as in bitterly
-
as in strongly
-
as in close
-
as in harshly
-
Try This Instead
-
Synonym Chooser
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
-
Related Articles
1
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
a hard man, who never had a kind word for anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
clearing land is hard work a hard exam to pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure
they were forced to import sheep of a harder stock, one that could thrive in the harsh climate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in reasonable
based on sound reasoning or information
do you have any hard evidence that this was once the site of a Native American village?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in tough
difficult to endure
the hard life of a migrant farm worker
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
a carpet that withstood years of hard wear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint
a hard disciplinarian who is quick to punish the tiniest violation of the rules
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in solid
having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure
hard candies fell on the hard floor and bruised her arm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in stable
having been established and usually not subject to change
there isn't always a hard line between right and wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in sore
having or showing deep-seated resentment
maintained hard feelings toward those who had cheated him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
a woman with a hard will who never budged from her chosen path
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in historical
restricted to or based on fact
that newscast is strictly devoted to hard news, as the producers prefer to leave the gossip to others
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in intensively
with great effort or determination
we took a much-needed break after working hard all week a hard-won victory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bitterly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
took the news of their grandfather's death hard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in strongly
in a vigorous and forceful manner
hit the ball hard, causing it to soar out of bounds the wind blew hard all day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in close
at, within, or to a short distance or time
the groom stood hard by, ready to help, as the lady mounted the skittish horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in harshly
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering
the dog had been treated hard by his previous owner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
hard work
hard choices
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
WIRED, 13 Feb. 2023
That die-hard fan base in Phoenix got a taste of glory in 2021 when the Suns were up two games to none in the Finals on the Milwaukee Bucks before dropping the next four and ultimately losing the championship series.
—Max Olsan, The Arizona Republic, 13 Feb. 2023
Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2025
As a journalist, Coulter worked hard to become a role model in the Black community, much like his own teachers had been for him.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard
Adjective
But unlike climate change, turning it around doesn’t have to be that hard, and the benefits will be felt immediately.
—WIRED, 13 Feb. 2023
That die-hard fan base in Phoenix got a taste of glory in 2021 when the Suns were up two games to none in the Finals on the Milwaukee Bucks before dropping the next four and ultimately losing the championship series.
—Max Olsan, The Arizona Republic, 13 Feb. 2023
Adverb
In addition, the caucus is pushing hard to create a permanent, refundable child tax credit of $600 per child for the first time in Connecticut history.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2025
As a journalist, Coulter worked hard to become a role model in the Black community, much like his own teachers had been for him.
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard
Adjective
-
O’Neil had shown a more ruthless streak in dealing with Lemina, stripping the midfielder of the captaincy after those embarrassing post-match scenes at West Ham.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
-
There is the ruthless spymaster Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) and his mysterious assistant Kleya (Elizabeth Dulau).—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Whitecaps won games in Mexico, which is difficult to do.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The task for Denver tonight will be that much more difficult if Michael Porter Jr. (shoulder) is unavailable or limited.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
It’s entirely made of cotton that has been coated with polyvinyl to create a sturdy material with the look of pebbled leather, which is as water-resistant and stain-repellent as hide.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Get to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Multi: Multi-ground (MG) cleats are designed to achieve reasonable levels of traction, grip and control on as many types of ground as possible.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
-
But looking at the right benchmarks shows that post-neoliberal economic policy—evident to a large degree in the actions of the Biden administration—righted the ship and kept the country afloat and sailing at a reasonable clip.—
Jennifer M. Harris,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Four times, he’s used it to strikeout hitters, with the horizontal break being tough to pick up.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
-
However, the emotional side of living with the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be just as tough.—
Caitlin Carlson,
SELF,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Whether singing a cappella or accompanied by her guitar to hundreds or thousands of people − at a small venue or an awards show − Lafourcade's performances feel visceral, intense and intimate all at once.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
In place of intense (and potentially irritating) acids, Mediheal's Madecassoside Blemish Pads target breakouts and breakout-causing bacteria with anti-inflammatory powerhouses madecassoside and cica.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Augusta National Golf Club, where the tournament takes place each April, has a strict no cell phone and cameras rule during the four days of official competition.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
18 Apr. 2025
-
So Read, a 56-year-old sexologist and writer based in Calgary, Canada, developed a strict sleep and bedtime routine.—
Erica Sweeney,
SELF,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For now, the economy remains in solid shape by several top measures.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Center Cooper Beebe provided solid reliability in his rookie season, but how far does his ceiling reach?—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share