Synonyms of hard
-
as in difficult 
-
as in ruthless
-
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
-
Synonym Chooser
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
-
Related Articles
1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
clearing land is hard work a hard exam to pass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
Patricia S York, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
Candace Cameron Bure has learned that even in life’s hardest seasons, faith can rebuild what’s been broken.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
Make the training program hard enough, and eventually everyone responds.
—Outside, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard
Adjective
A little hard work in this recipe is greatly rewarded with layer upon layer of flakey, buttery biscuit goodness.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
Candace Cameron Bure has learned that even in life’s hardest seasons, faith can rebuild what’s been broken.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Adverb
But trust us, the answer is not scrubbing harder.
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
Make the training program hard enough, and eventually everyone responds.
—Outside, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard
Adjective
-
Jens generally chooses his words carefully, and is, what’s more, particularly reticent just after finishing a long and difficult winter delivery trip; what’s a person supposed to do with words in a blizzard anyway, up on a stormy heath and all directions lost?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In his first start in the wake of Beau Pribula’s significant injury, Zollers walked into a difficult situation, and his stat line reflected it.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The ruthless conglomerate's logo, base, ships, and equipment are featured throughout the film, in addition to the synths themselves.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Earlier stories in that newspaper described López Torres as a ruthless trafficker who has killed dozens and was earlier aligned with Colombia’s right-wing paramilitary forces, known as the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, or the Spanish acronym AUC.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
With sturdy construction, ample shelf space, and glass doors, china cabinets are excellent for storing and displaying delicate china sets, trinkets, decorative plates, heirloom decor, and more.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That said, reasonable preparation can help even those familiar with international payment systems avoid high fees, long waits and general confusion.—
Jason Phillips,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2026
-
That’s understandable and reasonable, and fans have every right to express their fandom through frustration when teams don’t live up to expectations.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This loss had to be especially tough for the Jayhawks, considering a controversial holding call on KU changed the momentum of the game.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
-
However, their record at the Etihad makes for tough reading.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Gas and dust fall into a rotating disk around the black hole, and as the debris spirals more rapidly, it becomes superheated, releasing intense radiation.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
True Ipomea batatas has bright orange flesh (although modern varieties have much more intense colors than older forms), occasionally white and rarely purple.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Senior officials said that Medicare beneficiaries seeking coverage for GLP-1 drugs for obesity would have to meet strict eligibility criteria and that these would follow Make America Healthier Again principles to address chronic disease risk factors.—
Alice Park,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Beyond the major races, Democrats swept state Supreme Court contests in Pennsylvania and won ballot initiatives in Colorado and Maine, where voters approved gun safety measures and rejected stricter voter ID laws.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
For example, a government notice earlier this year referenced a construction project in Shaanxi province belonging to the CASC 4th Academy, which is widely known as the main contractor for solid-fuel rockets.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The Dolphins chose not to spend the money (or match or surpass other teams’ offers) on several solid contributors after their rookie contracts ended.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share