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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Recent Examples of hard-pressed
If this becomes an annual event, the Chiefs and Battle Sports would be hard-pressed to find a better school to kick it off than Nebraska.
—
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2025
Despite their numbers, Wolverines fans will be hard-pressed to top Ohio State fans’ takeover of Wrigleyville last year.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
On rainy days when people would stay in the building for lunch, one was hard-pressed to find a free seat in the cafeteria.
—Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Stories that, even at the age of six, Jena was hard-pressed to believe.
—Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2025
Despite their numbers, Wolverines fans will be hard-pressed to top Ohio State fans’ takeover of Wrigleyville last year.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
On rainy days when people would stay in the building for lunch, one was hard-pressed to find a free seat in the cafeteria.
—Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Stories that, even at the age of six, Jena was hard-pressed to believe.
—Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-pressed
Adjective
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Zahn is a master at non-verbal incredulity, and Coach Hudson’s perplexed patience in the face of Chad’s weirdness is never not entertaining.—
Kristen Baldwin,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
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Another surprise that has long perplexed researchers is those algorithms’ knack for their own, strange kind of creativity.—
Webb Wright,
Wired News,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The notes — about 30 rows of capital letters, numbers, dashes and parentheses broken into sections — baffled investigators.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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The clear stance that the club has spent every available penny of their PSR allowance left many baffled, but the club’s accounts over the coming years will reveal all.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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William is totally bewildered and frustrated that it’s being sanctioned.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
28 Sep. 2025
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Looking at the Williams in the wrong spot, the crew looked bewildered, while one person signaled Sainz to move on.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Police officers guarding the barricades appeared somewhat embarrassed at having to block the path of a visiting world leader.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
24 Sep. 2025
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Norvell’s predecessor, Steve Addazio, routinely embarrassed CSU at a time when the administration didn’t need any more help in that department.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-pressed. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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