the hard way
noun
: in a way that involves difficult or painful experiences
He found out the hard way that crime doesn't pay.
She insisted on doing things the hard way.
Examples of the hard way in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Reese Witherspoon learned the hard way that some jokes are no laughing matter.
—
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Stroud, like Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Buffalo’s Josh Allen, is learning that the hard way.
—Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
One multinational learned this lesson the hard way.
—Nirit Cohen, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Ryan Seacrest learned that lesson the hard way Tuesday when an overeager guest accidentally tackled him to the ground.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the hard way 
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Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Stroud, like Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Buffalo’s Josh Allen, is learning that the hard way.
—Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
One multinational learned this lesson the hard way.
—Nirit Cohen, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Ryan Seacrest learned that lesson the hard way Tuesday when an overeager guest accidentally tackled him to the ground.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the hard way
Dictionary Entries Near the hard way
Cite this Entry
“The hard way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20hard%20way. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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