hard

1 of 2

adjective

ˈhärd

harder; hardest

Synonyms of hard next

: not easily penetrated : not easily yielding to pressure

hard surfaces

an uncomfortably hard chair

of cheese : not capable of being spread : very firm

a(1)

of wine or beer : having a bitter or acidic taste

(2)

: having a high concentration of alcohol

hard spirits like vodka and whiskey

of beverages : containing alcohol

hard seltzer/lemonade/cider

: characterized by the presence of salts (as of calcium or magnesium) that prevent soap from lathering

hard water

: of or relating to radiation of relatively high penetrating power : having high energy

hard X-rays

: having or producing relatively great photographic contrast

a hard negative

: metallic as distinct from paper

hard money

of currency : convertible into gold : stable in value

: usable as currency

paid in hard cash

of currency : readily acceptable in international trade

: being high and unlikely to change

hard prices

: firmly and closely twisted

hard yarns

of fabrics : having a smooth close napless finish

a hard worsted

: physically fit

in good hard condition

: resistant to stress or disease : hardy

a hard plant

: free of weakness : unyielding

a man of hard unbending will

a(1)

: firm, definite

reached a hard agreement

(2)

: not speculative or conjectural : factual

hard evidence

(3)

: important or informative rather than sensational or entertaining

hard news

(4)

: expressed in a clear and decisive way : leaving no doubt

Offers to install an electric door opener at her own expense were met with a hard no from the garage landlords, whose old-fashioned sensibilities dictated that their tenants use multiple manual locks to secure the space.—

Ronnie Koenig

The editor [Gene Policinski] said he told Ashe that "USA Today does not print unconfirmed stories from unattributed sources, but in the absence of a hard denial, or confirmation, the information seemed credible and we would continue to pursue the story."—

William C. Rhoden

adverb

: with great or utmost effort or energy : strenuously

were hard at work

: in a violent manner : fiercely

hit the ball hard

The wind was blowing hard.

: to the full extent

—usually used in nautical directions

steer hard aport

: to an immoderate degree

been drinking hard lately

: in a searching, close, or concentrated manner

stared hard at me

: in such a manner as to cause hardship, difficulty, or pain

The economic downturn has hit the poor especially hard.

: with rancor, bitterness, or grief

took the defeat hard

: in a firm manner : tightly

hold on hard

: to the point of hardness

frozen hard

: close in time or space

stands hard by the river

Choose the Right Synonym for hard

hard, difficult, arduous mean demanding great exertion or effort.

hard implies the opposite of all that is easy.

farming is hard work

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

arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion.

the arduous task of rebuilding

Examples of hard in a Sentence

Adjective She was asked a lot of hard questions. We're going to have to make some hard choices. It was very hard to find a replacement for her. Their story is hard to believe. It's hard not to worry about her. It's hard to tell what she's thinking. He has learned a hard lesson. His health has suffered from years of hard living. This old bicycle has obviously gotten some hard use. Adverb You have to work hard in order to succeed. I know how hard she tried. She ran as hard as she could. We've thought long and hard about this problem. He hit the ball hard. The ball hit him hard on the wrist. He pressed his nose hard against the window. She pushed hard against the door, but it wouldn't open. The wind was blowing hard. The snow came down hard.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Adjective

Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas. —

Alia Wong, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023 Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say. —

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023

Adverb

While full repeal of the act may be unlikely, an administration hostile to clean energy could divert its unspent funds to other purposes, slow the pace of grants or loans by slow-walking project approvals, or find other ways to make the tax incentives harder to get. —

James Morton Turner, Discover Magazine, 9 Nov. 2024 The misconception that working harder could prevent or treat depression may further stigmatize those who are affected and discourage them from seeking treatment. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hard

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Adverb

Middle English, from Old English heard; akin to Old High German hart hard, Greek kratos strength

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of hard was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing hard

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

hard

1 of 2 adjective

ˈhärd

: not easily penetrated, cut, or divided into parts : not soft

: high in alcoholic content

hard cider

: containing substances that prevent lathering with soap

hard water

: stable and high in value and often convertible into gold

hard currency

: physically fit

: resistant to stress or disease

: free of weakness or defects

: firm entry 1 sense 2a, definite

a hard agreement

: based on clear fact

hard evidence

: being thorough, intense, and searching

a hard look

: lacking sympathy or tender feelings : unfeeling

a hard heart

: difficult to endure : harsh, severe

hard words

a hard winter

: resentful sense 2

hard feelings

: strict sense 1

drives a hard bargain

: physically or mentally difficult

a hard problem

hard work

: diligent, energetic

a hard worker

: sharply or harshly defined or outlined

hard shadows

: sounding as in cold and geese respectively

—used of c and g

hard

2 of 2 adverb

: with great effort or energy

work hard

try hard

: in a violent manner : fiercely

the wind blew hard

: in such a manner as to cause hardship, bitterness, or pain

the storm hit them hard

: with bitterness or grief

took the defeat hard

: in a firm manner : tightly

hold hard to something

: to the point of hardness

dry hard

: close in time or space

the school stood hard by a river

Medical Definition

hard

adjective

ˈhärd

: not easily penetrated : not easily yielding to pressure

of liquor : strongly alcoholic

specifically : having an alcoholic content of more than 22.5 percent

: characterized by the presence of salts (as of calcium or magnesium) that prevent lathering with soap

hard water

: of or relating to radiation of relatively high penetrating power

hard X-rays

: physically fit

in good hard condition

: resistant to stress (as disease)

: being at once addictive and gravely detrimental to health

such hard drugs as heroin

: resistant to biodegradation

hard detergents

hard pesticides like DDT

hardness noun

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hard

adjective

adverb

Synonyms

Examples of hard in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near hard

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition