hard

1 of 2

adjective

harder; hardest
1
a
: not easily penetrated : not easily yielding to pressure
hard surfaces
an uncomfortably hard chair
b
of cheese : not capable of being spread : very firm
2
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
b
of beverages : containing alcohol
hard seltzer/lemonade/cider
c
: characterized by the presence of salts (as of calcium or magnesium) that prevent soap from lathering
hard water
3
a
: of or relating to radiation of relatively high penetrating power : having high energy
hard X-rays
b
: having or producing relatively great photographic contrast
a hard negative
4
a
: metallic as distinct from paper
hard money
b
of currency : convertible into gold : stable in value
c
: usable as currency
paid in hard cash
d
of currency : readily acceptable in international trade
e
: being high and unlikely to change
hard prices
5
a
: firmly and closely twisted
hard yarns
b
of fabrics : having a smooth close napless finish
a hard worsted
6
a
: physically fit
in good hard condition
b
: resistant to stress or disease : hardy
a hard plant
c
: free of weakness : unyielding
a man of hard unbending will
7
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
see also hard pass
b
: close, searching
gave a hard look
c
: free from sentimentality or illusion : realistic
good hard sense
d
: unlikely to respond in a kind or sympathetic way : unfeeling
a hard heart
8
a(1)
: difficult to bear or endure
hard luck
hard times
(2)
: oppressive, inequitable
sales taxes are hard on the poor
a hard restriction
b(1)
: lacking consideration, compassion, or gentleness : callous
a hard greedy landlord
(2)
: incapable of being corrected or disciplined : tough, unruly
a hard gang
c(1)
: harsh, severe, or offensive in tendency or effect
said some hard things
(2)
: marked by resentment
hard feelings
(3)
: strict, unrelenting
drives a hard bargain
d
: inflicting physical discomfort or hardship : inclement
hard winter
e(1)
: intense in force, manner, or degree
hard blows
(2)
: demanding the exertion of energy : calling for stamina and endurance
hard work
(3)
: performing or carrying on with great energy, intensity, or persistence
a hard worker
f
: most unyielding or thoroughgoing
the hard political right
9
a
: characterized by sharp or harsh outline, rigid execution, and stiff drawing
hard forms
b
: sharply defined : stark
hard shadows
c
: lacking in shading, delicacy, or resonance
hard singing tones
d
: sounding as in candy and geese respectively
used of c and g
the word arc is pronounced with a hard c
e
: suggestive of toughness or insensitivity
hard eyes
10
a(1)
: difficult to accomplish or resolve : troublesome
hard problems
The true story was hard to come by.
(2)
: difficult to comprehend or explain
a hard concept
b
: having difficulty in doing something
hard of hearing
c
: difficult to magnetize or demagnetize
11
: being at once addictive and gravely detrimental to health
such hard drugs as heroin
12
: resistant to biodegradation
hard detergents
hard pesticides such as DDT
13
: being, schooled in, or using the methods of the natural sciences and especially of the physical sciences
a hard scientist
14
of money : contributed (as by individuals or political action committees) directly to a particular candidate or campaign

hard

2 of 2

adverb

1
a
: with great or utmost effort or energy : strenuously
were hard at work
b
: in a violent manner : fiercely
hit the ball hard
The wind was blowing hard.
c
: to the full extent
usually used in nautical directions
steer hard aport
d
: to an immoderate degree
been drinking hard lately
e
: in a searching, close, or concentrated manner
stared hard at me
2
a
: in such a manner as to cause hardship, difficulty, or pain
The economic downturn has hit the poor especially hard.
b
: with rancor, bitterness, or grief
took the defeat hard
3
: in a firm manner : tightly
hold on hard
4
: to the point of hardness
frozen hard
5
: 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
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 For extra reliability, choose a suitcase with a hard shell crafted from either polycarbonate or aluminum. Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Travel + Leisure, 13 Feb. 2023 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 Die-hard Chiefs fan Paul Rudd was on the field before the game, sporting a big smile and a team jersey. Andrew Dalton, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2023 The five-year commemoration of that day is particularly hard for Jennifer, who usually shies away from talking publicly about her loss. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2023
Adverb
On the pitch, the US was made to work hard for its win but produced moments of quality to secure the title. Ben Church, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024 White came in for criticism in recent months from construction unions and fellow Democratic politicians for allegedly trying to drive too hard of a bargain with the teams. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024 The deli is closed on Sundays, but Yao can be found hard at work in the kitchen prepping dough for early next week. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2024 Chinese authorities have previously come down hard on accounting firms for lapses in their audits of domestic companies. Bloomberg, Fortune Asia, 22 Mar. 2024 Shaun is running wide of the racing line and working hard to stop the car from snapping into oversteer. Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024 If Jefferson County Public Schools ends bus transportation for students in magnet schools and programs, some schools will be hit much harder than others, potentially losing funding and extracurricular activities. Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 22 Mar. 2024 But Republican critics noted that the process of funding the government had not changed much — Mr. Johnson pushed through two giant bills instead of a single one — and said their speaker should have fought harder for their priorities. Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 This is also known as pushing it too hard, a terrifying result for a voice actor. Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near hard

Cite this Entry

“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hard

1 of 2 adjective
1
: not easily penetrated, cut, or divided into parts : not soft
2
a
: high in alcoholic content
hard cider
b
: containing substances that prevent lathering with soap
hard water
3
: stable and high in value and often convertible into gold
hard currency
4
a
: physically fit
b
: resistant to stress or disease
c
: free of weakness or defects
5
a
: firm entry 1 sense 2a, definite
a hard agreement
b
: based on clear fact
hard evidence
c
: being thorough, intense, and searching
a hard look
d
: lacking sympathy or tender feelings : unfeeling
a hard heart
6
a
: difficult to endure : harsh, severe
hard words
a hard winter
b
: resentful sense 2
hard feelings
c
: strict sense 1
drives a hard bargain
d
: physically or mentally difficult
a hard problem
hard work
7
: diligent, energetic
a hard worker
8
a
: sharply or harshly defined or outlined
hard shadows
b
: sounding as in cold and geese respectively
used of c and g

hard

2 of 2 adverb
1
a
: with great effort or energy
work hard
try hard
b
: in a violent manner : fiercely
the wind blew hard
2
a
: in such a manner as to cause hardship, bitterness, or pain
the storm hit them hard
b
: with bitterness or grief
took the defeat hard
3
: in a firm manner : tightly
hold hard to something
4
: to the point of hardness
dry hard
5
: close in time or space
the school stood hard by a river

Medical Definition

hard

adjective
1
: not easily penetrated : not easily yielding to pressure
2
a
of liquor : strongly alcoholic
specifically : having an alcoholic content of more than 22.5 percent
b
: characterized by the presence of salts (as of calcium or magnesium) that prevent lathering with soap
hard water
3
: of or relating to radiation of relatively high penetrating power
hard X-rays
4
a
: physically fit
in good hard condition
b
: resistant to stress (as disease)
5
: being at once addictive and gravely detrimental to health
such hard drugs as heroin
6
: resistant to biodegradation
hard detergents
hard pesticides like DDT
hardness noun

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