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
Cliffside Confessions Since establishing his BASE jump guiding company in 2022, LaJeunesse has leaned into the hardships some of his clients want to face.
—
Maya Silver, Outside, 25 Feb. 2026
Russia's border regions have also faced hardships, as Ukrainian drone attacks knocked out heat and power for local residents in reciprocal attacks.
—Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
Newly opened Mid-Wilshire restaurant Gritz N’ Wafflez faces $25,000 to $30,000 in repairs; in Long Beach, Sala Coffee & Wine Bar also suffered significant losses, adding to previous hardships from property damage.
—Angela Osorio, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Others came to support neighbors and friends who had lost a loved one, or showed up just because community ties grow strong in small mountain towns where people share both the hardships of extreme weather and the joys of recreating outdoors.
—Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, the county faces its own financial hardships.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026
The two discussed Dane's acting career, living with and advocating for ALS, but mostly, Dane's resilience through hardships and love for his family.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The immense hardships of space settlement and its potential pitfalls actually become more pressing as the technology advances.
—Big Think, 19 Feb. 2026
The show devotes significant time to the three consultants’ past hardships as well as their ongoing bond, and that’s crystallized in a moving segment about Alexander’s harrowing recovery after a devastating stroke in 2022.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Feb. 2026
Maya Silver, Outside, 25 Feb. 2026
Russia's border regions have also faced hardships, as Ukrainian drone attacks knocked out heat and power for local residents in reciprocal attacks.
—Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
Newly opened Mid-Wilshire restaurant Gritz N’ Wafflez faces $25,000 to $30,000 in repairs; in Long Beach, Sala Coffee & Wine Bar also suffered significant losses, adding to previous hardships from property damage.
—Angela Osorio, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Others came to support neighbors and friends who had lost a loved one, or showed up just because community ties grow strong in small mountain towns where people share both the hardships of extreme weather and the joys of recreating outdoors.
—Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, the county faces its own financial hardships.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026
The two discussed Dane's acting career, living with and advocating for ALS, but mostly, Dane's resilience through hardships and love for his family.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The immense hardships of space settlement and its potential pitfalls actually become more pressing as the technology advances.
—Big Think, 19 Feb. 2026
The show devotes significant time to the three consultants’ past hardships as well as their ongoing bond, and that’s crystallized in a moving segment about Alexander’s harrowing recovery after a devastating stroke in 2022.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardships
difficulties
Noun
-
Even those who are trying to keep the roads clear and safe are having difficulties.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Multiple reviewers expressing frustration over automatic renewals and difficulties in obtaining refunds or cancellations.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hardships.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardships. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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