HARDSHIP Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

hardship

noun

ˈhärd-ˌship

Definition of hardship

as in difficulty

something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal working two jobs was a hardship he was willing to endure to get out of debt

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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 hardship Miley was inspired to launch her organization in part after the passing of transgender teen Leelah Alcorn, whose death was a big wake-up call for those who were unaware or unfamiliar with the hardships transgender youth experience daily. — Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 From the late 1990s on, Parton recognized that her hitmaking days were behind her, and frequently returned to songs and sounds associated with the pleasures and hardships of her mountain youth. — Jewly Hight, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 Autopay discounts, repayment terms, in-school payment requirements, fees, hardship programs and cosigner-release policies can all affect the overall value of a loan. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Growing up, her own family received groceries from their community during times of hardship. — James Pollard, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hardship

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardship

difficulty

Noun

Clancy then began taking Zoloft, prompting immediate difficulty, Heilbrun said, recounting the symptoms and treatments in the lead-up to the death of Clancy's children months later in January 2023.

— Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026
The drone in question was powered by a Nvidia minicomputer not sold in Russia but available through resale markets, highlighting the difficulties in denying tech to US adversaries.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficulty

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hard-shell

hardship

hardships

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“Hardship.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardship. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hardship

noun

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