the hard way
noun
: in a way that involves difficult or painful experiences
He found out the hard way that crime doesn't pay.
She insisted on doing things the hard way.
Examples of the hard way in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As Givenchy found out the hard way, product reformulation is a risk—especially for something the brand is known for.
—
Lindy Segal, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2025
But Anula knew that some lessons were best learned the hard way.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025
Doing things the hard way is suiting Newcastle United this season, which sounds like a criticism, but is very much a compliment.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Most people learn that lesson the hard way somewhere in their teens or 20s.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the hard way
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Lindy Segal, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2025
But Anula knew that some lessons were best learned the hard way.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025
Doing things the hard way is suiting Newcastle United this season, which sounds like a criticism, but is very much a compliment.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Most people learn that lesson the hard way somewhere in their teens or 20s.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the hard way
Cite this Entry
“The hard way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20hard%20way. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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