hard 1 of 2

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

hard

2 of 2

adverb

1
2
3
4
5

Try This Instead

For
Try This
hard work
arduous work
tough work
hard feelings
bitter feelings
hurtful feelings
hateful feelings
hostile feelings
strained feelings
a hard surface
a solid surface
a firm surface
a stiff surface
a durable surface
a tough surface
a hard time
a tough time
a difficult time
a rough time
a grueling time
an arduous time
hard choices
tough choices
difficult choices
complicated choices
impossible choices
daunting choices

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hard different from other adjectives like it?

The words arduous and difficult are common synonyms of hard. While all three words mean "demanding great exertion or effort," hard implies the opposite of all that is easy.

farming is hard work

In what contexts can arduous take the place of hard?

In some situations, the words arduous and hard are roughly equivalent. However, arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion.

the arduous task of rebuilding

When would difficult be a good substitute for hard?

The words difficult and hard can be used in similar contexts, but difficult implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill or courage.

the difficult ascent of the mountain

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hard
Adjective
But unlike climate change, turning it around doesn’t have to be that hard, and the benefits will be felt immediately. WIRED, 13 Feb. 2023 That die-hard fan base in Phoenix got a taste of glory in 2021 when the Suns were up two games to none in the Finals on the Milwaukee Bucks before dropping the next four and ultimately losing the championship series. Max Olsan, The Arizona Republic, 13 Feb. 2023
Adverb
Within a few years Macondo was a village that was more orderly and hard working than any known until then by its three hundred inhabitants. Fernanda Pérez Sánchez, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2024 Much of the sequel is set during Joker’s time behind bars at Arkham State Hospital; the composer worked hard to connect her love of strings with that setting. Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hard 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard
Adjective
  • Their life is interrupted by the arrival of a group of pale, ghostly white lions, an outsider tribe of scavengers led by the ruthless Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen), looking to occupy and control this land.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Storks Are Fascinating Beyond Their Brood Reducing Ways Despite their ruthless parenting, storks are fascinating creatures with other interesting traits.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • An at least 200-year-old celebration of French and Mediterranean cuisine, macarons are renowned as the ‘impossible dessert,’ a result of the notoriously involved and difficult baking process.
    Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
  • The manual entry of damage to structures like bridges used to be very expensive and time-consuming, a complex process made even more difficult by the fact that data entry and analysis are performed by both the agency’s own staff and external companies.
    Stephanie Glenk, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Huawei says the main foldable display is built on top of a carbon fiber glass plate which helps reinforce the screen, and the hinge connecting the moving parts feel sturdy and reassuring.
    Ben Sin, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
  • This sturdy ice scraper has a padded, ergonomic handle that makes for an easy grip with or without gloves.
    Camryn Rabideau, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This is a reasonable request and a fair expectation.
    Brian Mitchell, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • The two are linked: Disputes are much easier to solve when all parties have a reasonable prospect of prosperity.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Carro, known for his tough stance on crime and his experience with cases involving terrorism enhancements, will play a key role in shaping the trial's proceedings.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Business has been especially tough for foreign brands in China, where electric vehicle manufacturers such as BYD are leading the way as demand grows for less polluting vehicles.
    AFP, Fortune Asia, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Media coverage of Walker’s messy private life has been intense.
    Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Christmas Solo chronicles the life of two single parents who stumble into the possibility of love for Christmas, only to learn that their daughters are tangled in an intense rivalry at school.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Either way, stricter regulations likely won’t be in place to impact this winter season, and despite the unease expressed by locals, mass tourism to Rovaniemi is probably only going to grow in 2025 — as visitors want to experience the unique atmosphere up north, especially during the holiday season.
    CNN, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Essentially, this meant that Google would reject emails addressed to Gmail users that didn’t meet strict new email domain authentication rules.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • For context, ArcelorMittal revenues grew 45% between 2020-2022, primarily aided by a solid rally through 2021 on account of rising steel and iron ore prices, as well as restocking across the industry.
    Trefis Team, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The taut, real-life tale plays as both a solid, gripping piece of old-fashioned movie-making and an insightful probing of the ways that obsession can twist up a man for good or evil.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near hard

Cite this Entry

“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on hard

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!