1
as in hardship
something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal
the test questions were rated for hardness, a rating of five indicating the most difficult
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in severity
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism)
the aunt's hardness gradually crumbled under the influence of the little orphan's endearing ways
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hardness
As his younger, more romantic self, that hardness never quite goes away.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Known for its hardness and high melting point, petalite is already valued in heat- and scratch-resistant glass and ceramics.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
In one-of-a-kind high-jewelry chokers and necklaces, the design is rendered in black diamond-like carbon, or DLC—a high-tech material known for its exceptional hardness and scratch-resistance that is often used in watchmaking—and combined with diamonds and yellow gold for an avant-garde look.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2026
This tiny snail’s shell combines hardness, toughness and energy dissipation in a way that very few single-phase materials can.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Known for its hardness and high melting point, petalite is already valued in heat- and scratch-resistant glass and ceramics.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
In one-of-a-kind high-jewelry chokers and necklaces, the design is rendered in black diamond-like carbon, or DLC—a high-tech material known for its exceptional hardness and scratch-resistance that is often used in watchmaking—and combined with diamonds and yellow gold for an avant-garde look.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2026
This tiny snail’s shell combines hardness, toughness and energy dissipation in a way that very few single-phase materials can.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardness
Noun
-
Some may offer temporary flexibility or hardship arrangements to help out.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Financial hardship criteria CNC status is reserved for taxpayers facing a challenging financial situation.—
Rebecca Safier,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Orkin's bed bug treatment methods may include targeted applications, heat treatments or a combination of strategies, depending on the severity.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The department said the driver's seat was the only part of the car that remained intact, but despite the severity of the crash, the driver suffered only minor injuries.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There is no hint of condescension in her writing, which is part of its difficulty and its power.—
Kristen Roupenian,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The band members have left their Latter-day Saint upbringing behind, but Oli doesn’t downplay the difficulty of that decision.—
Lily Moayeri,
SPIN,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardness. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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