as in difficulties
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 hardships
This project did indeed start small – a single gray tote placed in the downtown lobby of Family Counseling Service, where staff members could donate toys for the kids of families struggling with everyday hardships.
—
Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Attorney Gloria Allred, who reps several of the victims’ families, spoke of the hardships the victims faced, many being young mothers at the time they were killed.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Just a few seconds of distraction can bring a lifetime of hardships and heartbreak.
—Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
The new regulations create expensive, ongoing hardships for hemp businesses, the plaintiffs argue.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
There are so many structural hardships that everyone is trying to navigate every day.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Low-income seniors or those going through financial hardships due to a serious medical illness may qualify.
—Kat Tretina, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Despite economic hardships, some Americans are also focused on the well-being of service members and their families.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Even if they are paid soon, some officers say their financial hardships will continue.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Attorney Gloria Allred, who reps several of the victims’ families, spoke of the hardships the victims faced, many being young mothers at the time they were killed.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Just a few seconds of distraction can bring a lifetime of hardships and heartbreak.
—Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
The new regulations create expensive, ongoing hardships for hemp businesses, the plaintiffs argue.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
There are so many structural hardships that everyone is trying to navigate every day.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Low-income seniors or those going through financial hardships due to a serious medical illness may qualify.
—Kat Tretina, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Despite economic hardships, some Americans are also focused on the well-being of service members and their families.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Even if they are paid soon, some officers say their financial hardships will continue.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardships
difficulties
Noun
-
Other difficulties have been more down to Earth.—
David W. Brown,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Several previous attempts to launch women's hockey leagues in North America have failed, often due to financial difficulties.—
Ian Thomas,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hardships.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardships. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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