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

\/\/ farming is hard<\/em> work<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'arduous' take the place of 'hard'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words arduous<\/em><\/a> and hard<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, arduous<\/em> stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion.<\/p>

\/\/ the arduous<\/em> task of rebuilding<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'difficult' be a good substitute for 'hard'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ the difficult<\/em> ascent of the mountain<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How is the word 'hard' different from other adjectives like it?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ farming is hard<\/em> work<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'arduous' take the place of 'hard'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words arduous<\/em><\/a> and hard<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, arduous<\/em> stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion.<\/p>

\/\/ the arduous<\/em> task of rebuilding<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'difficult' be a good substitute for 'hard'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ the difficult<\/em> ascent of the mountain<\/p>" } } ] }

hard 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhärd How to pronounce hard (audio)
Definition of hardnext
1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort clearing land is hard work a hard exam to pass

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2
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings a hard man, who never had a kind word for anyone

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3
as in sturdy
able to withstand hardship, strain, or exposure they were forced to import sheep of a harder stock, one that could thrive in the harsh climate

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4
as in reasonable
based on sound reasoning or information do you have any hard evidence that this was once the site of a Native American village?

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5
as in tough
difficult to endure the hard life of a migrant farm worker

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6
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect a carpet that withstood years of hard wear

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7
as in strict
given to exacting standards of discipline and self-restraint a hard disciplinarian who is quick to punish the tiniest violation of the rules

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8
as in solid
having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure hard candies fell on the hard floor and bruised her arm

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9
as in stable
having been established and usually not subject to change there isn't always a hard line between right and wrong

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10
as in sore
having or showing deep-seated resentment maintained hard feelings toward those who had cheated him

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11
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion a woman with a hard will who never budged from her chosen path

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12
as in historical
restricted to or based on fact that newscast is strictly devoted to hard news, as the producers prefer to leave the gossip to others

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hard

2 of 2

adverb

1
as in intensively
with great effort or determination we took a much-needed break after working hard all week a hard-won victory

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2
as in bitterly
with feelings of bitterness or grief took the news of their grandfather's death hard

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3
as in strongly
in a vigorous and forceful manner hit the ball hard, causing it to soar out of bounds the wind blew hard all day

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4
as in close
at, within, or to a short distance or time the groom stood hard by, ready to help, as the lady mounted the skittish horse

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5
as in harshly
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering the dog had been treated hard by his previous owner

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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

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

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 hard
Adjective
Pushing too much hostility between team members or pushing Anthony too hard to be the peacekeeper could easily create an ugly atmosphere that spoils the vibe. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026 Those 14,000 survivors now face the daunting task of continuing to pick every game correctly as the tournament progresses and matchups become harder to predict. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Add liquid ingredients and ice, seal and shake hard. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026 The format has already overtaken traditional film and television in mainland China in revenue terms, and producers are now pushing hard beyond its borders. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hard
  1. difficult
  2. ruthless
  3. sturdy
  4. reasonable
  5. tough
  6. intense
  7. strict
  8. solid
Adjective
  • The most difficult piece of the puzzle?
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
  • But studying those relationships is difficult, due to the challenges in actually observing social interactions in the shark world.
    — BRADY DENNIS THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Typewriters, stationery, fine-art museums, the quintessential impressionist painter—these are all associated with taste, beauty, and craft, as well as with intentionality and care, the opposite of the ruthless technological efficiency that repels many from generative AI.
    — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Even if the film doesn’t co-sign her ideology, Ursula is the most nuanced of the ruthless killers, and Gellar is adept at digging into the character’s ambiguity and shifting priorities.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of ruthless
Adjective
  • Donica, across from her, is on sturdier ground, fearsome to the point of awe-inspiring in the sustained fury of his fermatas, though his considerable force as a performer longs to be shaped more cleanly.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • Even if one accepts that perfectly reasonable people are happy to live in a bubble with strangers for months in hopes of achieving love, fame or a cash prize, someone inevitably is cast to bring the crazy, er, conversation-sparking personality.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • That seems like a totally reasonable way of judging her.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of reasonable
Adjective
  • The real minutes, tough minutes on the road, stressful.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
  • After those seven players, things get a little tough to project.
    — Mike Kaye March 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • In an unexpected move, OpenAI announced its video generating service Sora will be shutting down soon as the company comes under intense pressure from rival Anthropic.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Eucerin’s Advanced Repair Lotion focuses on exactly that, combining intense hydration with ingredients that help reinforce the skin’s natural protective layer.
    — Hana Hong, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • Russia will build two VVER-1200 reactors, Rosatom’s most successful export model, which also complies with the strictest international requirements, at the site.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Most of the neighborhood bread kiosks that are still standing remain open, but there are strict limits on the amount individuals can purchase.
    — Jason Rezaian, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of strict
Adjective
  • The Canucks got solid play from their special teams.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Pushback from your 7th House of Partnership rewards diplomacy that respects both schedules and standards, especially if someone can’t seem to make a solid decision.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of solid

Phrases Containing hard

Browse Nearby Words

harbors
hard
hard-and-fast
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Cite this Entry

“Hard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hard. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hard for Spanish Speakers

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