hard

¹hard

adj \ˈhärd\

Definition of HARD

1

a : not easily penetrated : not easily yielding to pressure b of cheese : not capable of being spread : very firm

2

a of liquor (1) : having a harsh or acid taste (2) : strongly alcoholic b : characterized by the presence of salts (as of calcium or magnesium) that prevent lathering with soap <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 firm <hard prices>

5

a : firmly and closely twisted <hard yarns> b : having a smooth close napless finish <a hard worsted>

6

a : physically fit <in good hard condition> b : resistant to stress or disease c : free of weakness or defects

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> b : close, searching <gave a hard look> c : free from sentimentality or illusion : realistic <good hard sense> d : lacking in responsiveness : obdurate, 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) : incorrigible, tough <a hard gang> c (1) : harsh, severe, or offensive in tendency or effect <said some hard things> (2) : resentful <hard feelings> (3) : strict, unrelenting <drives a hard bargain> d : 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 b : sharply defined : stark <hard shadows> c : lacking in shading, delicacy, or resonance <hard singing tones> d : sounding as in arcing and geese respectively —used of c and g 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

Examples of HARD

1. She was asked a lot of hard questions.
2. We're going to have to make some hard choices.
3. It was very hard to find a replacement for her.
4. Their story is hard to believe.
5. It's hard not to worry about her.
6. It's hard to tell what she's thinking.
7. He has learned a hard lesson.
8. His health has suffered from years of hard living.
9. This old bicycle has obviously gotten some hard use.

Origin of HARD

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HARD

Synonyms: affectless, callous, case-hardened, cold-blooded, compassionless, desensitized, hard-boiled, hard-hearted, heartless, indurate, inhuman, inhumane, insensate, insensitive, ironhearted, merciless, obdurate, pachydermatous, pitiless, remorseless, ruthless, slash-and-burn, soulless, stony (also stoney), stonyhearted, take-no-prisoners, thick-skinned, uncharitable, unfeeling, unmerciful, unsparing, unsympathetic

Antonyms: charitable, compassionate, humane, kindhearted, kindly, merciful, sensitive, softhearted, sympathetic, tender, tenderhearted, warm, warmhearted

Related Words: boorish, heedless, inconsiderate, thoughtless, uncaring, unfriendly, unloving, unthinking; grim, hard-bitten, harsh, heavy-handed, ironfisted, ironhanded, jackbooted, knock-down, drag-out (or knock-down-and-drag-out), oppressive, rough, rough-and-tumble, severe, sledgehammer, stern, tough, ungentle; abusive, acrimonious, disagreeable, hateful, ill-natured, ill-tempered, malevolent, malicious, mean, rancorous, spiteful, surly, virulent; barbarous, bestial, brutal, brutish, cruel, evil-minded, savage, vicious; austere, cold, frosty

Near Antonyms: benevolent, benignant, gentle, kind; clement, indulgent, lenient, mild; cordial, friendly, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious; tolerant, understanding; affectionate, fond, loving

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Synonym Discussion of 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>.

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

Rhymes with HARD

bard, barred, card, chard, Dard, fard, guard, lard, nard, pard, sard, shard, yard