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
However, tariffs mean higher prices, so the central bank would be hard-pressed to lower interest rates.
—
Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Those funds augment the underpayment that care providers receive for Medicaid services, and without them, health systems could be hard-pressed to continue funding maternity care at their current rates.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
The district has been hard-pressed for funds this year, too.
—Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Bell High’s baseball team will be hard-pressed to top last season’s historic achievement winning the school’s first City Section Open Division championship at Dodger Stadium after not being in an upper division final since 1953.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Those funds augment the underpayment that care providers receive for Medicaid services, and without them, health systems could be hard-pressed to continue funding maternity care at their current rates.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
The district has been hard-pressed for funds this year, too.
—Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Bell High’s baseball team will be hard-pressed to top last season’s historic achievement winning the school’s first City Section Open Division championship at Dodger Stadium after not being in an upper division final since 1953.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hard-pressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard-pressed
Adjective
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Unlike last week — or most others this season, come to think of it — no one totally nails it, nor really expects to (… except for Massimo, who’s clearly perplexed when his mussel-and-clam pie ends up in the safe middle).—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
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The aim is to answer the question that has long perplexed scientists: was Mars once habitable?—
Jonathan O’Callaghan,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Tensor series uses a double layer of reflective film insulation, with a baffled air chamber design, which helps keep it quiet.—
Scott Gilbertson,
Wired News,
11 May 2025
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Kind, baffled but game, gets roped into the dada humor.—
Michael Schulman,
New Yorker,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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The actor—who is also currently filming season three of Euphoria—took the time to walk the wide-eyed and probably quite bewildered pup around the carpeted front of the hotel, and looked chic doing it.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
7 May 2025
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Heyman then handed the chair to a bewildered Roman Reigns, who used it to strike downed CM Punk.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Snorting, grunting, and other strange noses The parents of Bauer’s patients often demonstrate the weird noises their kids make—all in the name of helping their embarrassed children.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
2 May 2025
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Swanson said the one-day spring training shoot was a fun experience, but the easily embarrassed ballplayer initially struggled to unleash his inner Justin Timberlake.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hard-pressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard-pressed. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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