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
There’s an almost paradoxical tension between the lushness of the melody and the hardness of the drums, between something very raw and something very sophisticated.
—
New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
All the surface performance tests – ball bounce, rotational resistance and surface hardness – on these eight carpets also met FIFA standards.
—Ryan Bearss, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
Another method is to perform a soil hardness test.
—Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Experts recommend descaling every one to three months, depending on water hardness, and suggest preventative measures like occasional hot cycles, using the correct detergent amount, and regular wiping of machine parts.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardness
New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
All the surface performance tests – ball bounce, rotational resistance and surface hardness – on these eight carpets also met FIFA standards.
—Ryan Bearss, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
Another method is to perform a soil hardness test.
—Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Experts recommend descaling every one to three months, depending on water hardness, and suggest preventative measures like occasional hot cycles, using the correct detergent amount, and regular wiping of machine parts.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardness
Noun
-
Amanda and Cory also sought to lower Cory's child support payments to Aletta for Jessa, citing Amanda's medical expenses in court documents as a financial hardship.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
Aubrey Griffin also logged her first WNBA minutes Friday after a whirlwind few days that ended in her signing a hardship contract with New York the morning of her debut.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Trinidad and Tobago disputes the spill’s size and severity, saying only 10 barrels spilled on May 1 and were quickly contained.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Research shows a strong link between HS severity and metabolic factors like obesity and insulin resistance, which contribute to a chronic pro-inflammatory state.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
At tribal council in a recent episode, players vented about the difficulty of getting to a group decision when everyone has their own agenda.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
-
This gin had a forceful, hot alcohol note that many tasters had difficulty with.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardness. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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