Synonyms of hard
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as in difficult 
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as in ruthless
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as in sturdy
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as in reasonable
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as in tough
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as in intense
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as in strict
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as in solid
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as in stable
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as in sore
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as in stubborn
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as in historical
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as in intensively
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as in bitterly
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as in strongly
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as in close
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as in harshly
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1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
clearing land is hard work a hard exam to pass
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2
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
a hard man, who never had a kind word for anyone
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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
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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?
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5
as in tough
difficult to endure
the hard life of a migrant farm worker
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6
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
a carpet that withstood years of hard wear
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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
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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
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9
as in stable
having been established and usually not subject to change
there isn't always a hard line between right and wrong
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10
as in sore
having or showing deep-seated resentment
maintained hard feelings toward those who had cheated him
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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
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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
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1
as in intensively
with great effort or determination
we took a much-needed break after working hard all week a hard-won victory
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2
as in bitterly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
took the news of their grandfather's death hard
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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
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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
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5
as in harshly
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering
the dog had been treated hard by his previous owner
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hard
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
The world’s largest underground, iron-ore mine has forced the village’s herders to lead their reindeer through a longer and harder migration route.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
This only makes the problem harder to study, and even harder to solve.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard
Adjective
If vacuuming, set the vacuum cleaner to the hard floor setting.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
The world’s largest underground, iron-ore mine has forced the village’s herders to lead their reindeer through a longer and harder migration route.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Adverb
Calendula tolerates a light frost but not hard freezes.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
This only makes the problem harder to study, and even harder to solve.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard
Adjective
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The Bulls look to be the best team in the Group of Five conferences, while the Gators and coach Billy Napier are now under pressure with a difficult SEC schedule ahead.—
Erick Smith,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
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Usually the final day of boot camp is most difficult.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Hunted by the ruthless crime boss that Don worked for and learned all the boss’s sinister secrets — Perlman plays him — Don has a reason to seek redemption.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
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Witness Alex Hales’ ruthless removal.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The sturdy steel frame holds up to 650 pounds, while the insulated cup holders cool and keep drinks within reach.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
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If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Bondi could argue that her actions set a reasonable expectation that public officials should conduct themselves with respect towards other branches of government.—
Andrew Binns,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Lawyers for the plaintiffs said their restraining order only prevented federal agents from making stops without reasonable suspicion, in line with the Constitution and Court precedent.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That’s a tough dichotomy to bridge, but the new 2025 911 Carrera GTS achieves it brilliantly.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
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The tough stainless steel loops are reinforced and designed to remain rust-free even after years of use, and a three number combination lock will be easy to remember and difficult to crack.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Both require intense concentration, in order to be any good, and diligent practice, and both make use of imagination—which in tennis takes the form of anticipation—and creativity.—
Thomas Swick
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Without a strict hierarchy or single decision-maker, our process can sometimes be slow, messy, or even tiring.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
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At too many colleges, leaders have been reluctant to impose strict rules or harsh penalties for chatbot use, passing the buck to professors to come up with their own policies.—
Tyler Austin Harper,
The Atlantic,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These are available in five sizes, along with plenty of fun patterns, solid colors, and an all-black pack.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
6 Sep. 2025
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Nina Energy turns scraps into solid biofuels and biochar.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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