hardness

noun

ˈhärd-nəs How to pronounce hardness (audio)
Definition of hardnessnext
1
as in hardship
something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal the test questions were rated for hardness, a rating of five indicating the most difficult

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in severity
the quality or state of being demanding or unyielding (as in discipline or criticism) the aunt's hardness gradually crumbled under the influence of the little orphan's endearing ways

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 hardness The level of water hardness will vary based on your water supply. — Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Nov. 2024 The experience leans more cool than comfy: There are warnings about the heat upstairs during certain months and the hardness of the futons. — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 19 July 2024 Test strips were again used to evaluate the hardness of the water once the testing period concluded. — Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Nov. 2024 Quantum annealing: This term is borrowed from annealing, a process that uses heat to alter the physical or chemical properties of a metal, glass, or plastic film to increase ductility and reduce hardness. — Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for hardness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardness
  1. hardship
  2. severity
  3. difficulty
Noun
  • The Tower is not always an omen of hardship and struggle.
    — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The book has the spirit of other King coming-of-age stories, following boys who prevail amid hardship and despair ala the characters in Stand by Me and It.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of hardship
Noun
  • On bridging the divide, Michel stressed the importance of recognizing the severity of the crisis, and engaging in productive dialogue.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Speaking at full time on Thursday, manager Hansi Flick had been unsure of the severity of the injury.
    — Ali Rampling, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of severity
Noun
  • In my personal value system, difficulties should be faced with calm composure, bold creativity and steely determination — which my advisors model regularly.
    — Jed Brewer, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2025
  • At an international meeting on boosting border security and tackling people-smuggling, Starmer expressed frustration at the difficulty of stopping thousands of people a year risking the dangerous sea crossing from France.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of difficulty

Browse Nearby Words

hardly
hardness
hardnose
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hardness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardness. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on hardness

Nglish: Translation of hardness for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hardness

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
kestrel
Name That Bird Quiz Are you as wise as an owl or just another birdbrain?
See All