as in perplexed
faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do
they will be hard-pressed to come up with any facts that actually support their argument
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hard-pressed
Indiana has an explosive offense that Miami will be hard-pressed to slow down.
—
Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
Still, without her contributions, the Bobcats will be hard-pressed to reach their potential.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 15 Dec. 2025
Fisch, unlike DeBoer, is at a program that would be hard-pressed -- to say the least -- to match the financial backing Michigan could offer him.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
No Kevorian Barnes The Horned Frogs were already going to be hard-pressed to generate a run game against BYU’s elite front seven, but now TCU will have to do so without leading rusher Kevorian Barnes, who was listed as out on the player availability report.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
Still, without her contributions, the Bobcats will be hard-pressed to reach their potential.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 15 Dec. 2025
Fisch, unlike DeBoer, is at a program that would be hard-pressed -- to say the least -- to match the financial backing Michigan could offer him.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
No Kevorian Barnes The Horned Frogs were already going to be hard-pressed to generate a run game against BYU’s elite front seven, but now TCU will have to do so without leading rusher Kevorian Barnes, who was listed as out on the player availability report.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-pressed
Adjective
-
Tom Brady was just as perplexed as the rest of the NFL world when it was learned that Bill Belichick wouldn’t be going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Fallon, slightly perplexed and towering over Williams, awaits instruction.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
During the latest hearing in the case, Young repeatedly seemed baffled that the country’s top leaders would attempt to implement such a policy.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Many are somewhat baffled or turned off by the ale.—
Gary Stoller,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The usually positive Gauff went negative, lacked energy and seemed bewildered and overwhelmed.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Since his starring days at Gonzaga, Timme has earned bewildered double takes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Harry was both ‘excited’ and ‘embarrassed’ to bring Meghan there.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 Jan. 2026
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Tony Adams, struggling for form and embarrassed by Blackburn’s forwards at times, was given a break by Arsene Wenger and sent to France to see a specialist fitness guru and to have some space to reset his levels.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hard-pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-pressed. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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