as in difficulty
something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal
working two jobs was a hardship he was willing to endure to get out of debt
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Recent Examples of hardship
Protests in Tehran erupted in late December 2025 after the rial plunged to a record low amid rising inflation and economic hardship, and carried into January 2026, prompting widespread market and public space closures.
—
Eda Uysen, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
People also travel far and suffer great hardships in pursuit of great gains.
—New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2026
That means protecting Medicare and Medicaid, reducing prescription drug prices, and expanding the Affordable Care Act so more people can get quality coverage without financial hardship.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Chambliss was awarded a final year of eligibility after arguing that he should have been granted a medical hardship waiver during his time at Division II powerhouse Ferris State.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardship
Eda Uysen, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
People also travel far and suffer great hardships in pursuit of great gains.
—New Atlas, 15 Feb. 2026
That means protecting Medicare and Medicaid, reducing prescription drug prices, and expanding the Affordable Care Act so more people can get quality coverage without financial hardship.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Chambliss was awarded a final year of eligibility after arguing that he should have been granted a medical hardship waiver during his time at Division II powerhouse Ferris State.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hardship
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardship
difficulty
Noun
-
Symptoms include loss of balance, difficulty walking or swallowing, slurred speech and problems with eye movements, according to the National Institutes of Health.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In terms of economics and investments, the Saudis are having difficulties in attracting foreign investment.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hardship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardship. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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